Sonny Bill Williams has voiced a strong appeal for New Zealand Rugby to overhaul its selection criteria, advocating for significant changes to a struggling All Blacks backline.
Speaking on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts, Williams expressed his frustration following the All Blacks’ loss of their Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2019.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is restricted by a policy that prevents him from selecting players based overseas unless they have committed to returning home to play Super Rugby Pacific the following season.
This policy excludes key players such as the World Cup halfback pairing of Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga, as well as prominent forwards like Brodie Retallick and Shannon Frizell.
Williams didn’t hold back his opinions, stating, “This might be a little bit controversial but I don’t care. I think we should be picking these guys, easy… it’s about the cattle.
“And if we have these players, we have a Shannon Frizell to pick from, we have Aaron Smith to pick from – the game changes.”
He further emphasized, “Mo’unga… you’ve got to pick what’s best for the squad at the current time… the All Blacks, we have a problem.”
Williams, a two-time World Cup winner, believes the backrow should feature Frizell on the blindside, Wallace Sititi at No 8, and Ardie Savea on the openside.
He commented, “At the highest level, we have some players there that have experience in this space that should be playing, right here right now.”
Williams also suggested that the All Blacks might have had a better chance against the world champion Springboks in their Rugby Championship encounters if the selection policy were different.
“Success leaves clues,” Williams said. “What’s South Africa doing? Players can come over (from overseas) and they’re still thriving.”
If constrained to the current squad, Williams would opt for Beauden Barrett over Damian McKenzie as the All Blacks’ starting flyhalf. He proposed pairing Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane in midfield, with Jordie Barrett at fullback and Caleb Clarke and Mark Tele’a on the wings.
“Just to add that spice,” he noted.
Williams underlined the importance of a robust bench, suggesting it should include players like McKenzie and Will Jordan.
“I would like a real emphasis on this being a 23-man game, that we’re all in this and everyone’s going to get game time… I’m not happy because I know what the All Blacks are capable of… You’re telling me Aaron Smith is not a good fit right now?”
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
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