New Zealand Rugby

Sonny Bill Williams has announced that he will not return to New Zealand Rugby in 2014, according to Marc Hinton of the Waikato Times, electing instead to re-sign with the Sydney Roosters for one more year in rugby league's NRL. Williams turned down a three-year deal from the NZRU that would see him play for the Chiefs and most likely the All Blacks.

The week has been a controversial one for the superstar. After winning an NRL Premiership with the Roosters on Sunday, he took a U-turn on his decision not to represent New Zealand at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. Just one day after the squad had been announced, Williams decided to make himself available and was included in the Kiwis side at the expense of 21-year-old Tohu Harris.

It was a move that has done Williams no favours in his bid to rebuild his reputation after walking out on the Canterbury Bulldogs NRL club in 2008. 

Perhaps his change of heart came as a result of his decision to stick with rugby league after previously being unsure about his future.

Given that he has only signed a one-year deal, there still remains the possibility that he will return to New Zealand for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

There is no doubt that he improved markedly in his time playing rugby union. His early career saw him look very much like a league player playing union, taking poor options and looking lost at various stages of the game.

While his offload was one of the biggest weapons in the game, he looked to use it every time, and it became too predictable. On top of this, when he came up against a strong opponent, he had a tendency to go into a shell, passing the ball on rather than attacking the line and drawing defenders.

He was included in the All Blacks 2011 World Cup winning side, but much of this was based on reputation, and in the crunch games he only played minor roles. 

In 2012, though, it was clear that he was beginning to get a feel for the game, emerging as one of the star players of the Chiefs' championship winning Super 15 side. He had started taking the ball to the line dangerously and picking his moments to offload, making him that much more dangerous.

The five games he played for the All Blacks saw him look threatening, particularly in the Irish Test series in June. However, he was to leave once more midseason, taking up a deal in Japan before returning to the NRL for the 2013 season.

It was a shame to see him go, as he had shown great improvements and was just beginning to find his feet in the black jersey. But perhaps it is a good thing he has not come back this time.

While he is undoubtedly a talented player, he will never truly fulfill his potential unless he commits to one sport and takes the time to adapt to it. As we have seen over the past five years though, this really is not Williams' style. Why should he be re-signed for 2015 just to play in the World Cup? It may be a big event, but it really diminishes the All Black value of cherishing every Test match. Besides, there is no guarantee he will retain his old form anyway having been away for two years by that stage.

New Zealand has enough rugby union talent that is committed to the NZRU and the All Blacks in the long-term, and they should focus on them, rather than go out of their way to cater to Williams. 

New Zealand rugby league on the other hand could do with a player of Williams' calibre, and he would be a massive boost to the Kiwis. Maybe this is where his best bet is.

It has been a quick fall from grace for New Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu, and it is time the All Blacks started planning for his replacement.

Nonu was arguably the best back in the All Blacks' 2011 World Cup-winning team, but he now finds himself unwanted at Super 15 level and forced to look overseas to continue his career.

The powerful centre has always had problems with consistency, particularly in the Super 15 where he has hardly fired a shot in recent years. After three terrible seasons with three different teams, no club is willing to take on the superstar.

Despite his ability to find form for the All Blacks, moving abroad could signal the end of his international career as he will no longer be eligible to play for New Zealand if he leaves the country. But he may yet be forced to do.

Nonu has struggled in 2013 and even for the All Blacks has hardly flattered himself.

Discipline is the biggest black mark on his game, as he seems intent on delivering cheap shots as much as tackles. His yellow card last weekend for a shoulder charge on South Africa skipper Jean de Villiers was the latest in a series of ill-disciplined tackles this season.

On all but one of these occasions Nonu has spent time on the sidelines, where he is no good to the team. He is effectively deciding not to be on the field for 10 minutes. Who would want someone like this on the team?

Nonu's running game, once so strong, has hardly looked threatening this year. There is no step to expose a weak-shoulder in the tackler; he is just crashing the ball up. This is okay at times, but it gets far too predictable, especially when other players offer more.

Two years ago Nonu was rock-solid in defence and formed a brick wall with midfield partner Conrad Smith. This year he hasn't been so safe, falling off tackles and being out of position so that he gets beaten too often.

His kicking has improved and has provided the All Blacks with some good attacking positions this year. This that stood out in what was a fairly dour performance against the Springboks.

But picking a player for a couple of good kicks is hardly worthwhile when there are other younger players who are playing just as well.

Nonu has come full-circle. He had many detractors early in his career when he was in and out of the All Blacks set-up. He had a tendency to rush up in defence, his decision-making in attack was questionable and his discipline was an issue.

However, he came right and did so in a big way, learning how best to use his abilities and, more importantly, how to make the right decisions.

His form between 2009 and 2011 was of the highest class and made him one of the world's best No. 12. A constant threat in attack, a good passer and a strong defender, there was little that he could be knocked for.

Nonu played a key role in the All Blacks' 2011 World Cup win. He was arguably their most threatening back and took on more responsibility when Daniel Carter was ruled out with a groin injury.

In 2012 his form wasn't quite that of the year before, but he still warranted All Black selection after the departure of Sonny Bill Williams. Despite a disastrous Super 15 season with the Blues, he played his role in an All Black team that went unbeaten until their final game of the season.

Nonu is a difficult to rate in terms of all-time great New Zealand inside centres. At his finest he is up there with the best. His exploits at the World Cup will ensure he will be remembered, but his lack of consistency over the years will count against him.

Does he rate as highly as Walter Little or Bert Cooke? Probably not, but he is arguably the equal of any other All Black No. 12.  

Every player has his time. Nonu has been playing at the top for over a decade and his days in the black jersey are numbered. He has struggled with a niggling injury all year which has affected his ability to perform, particularly in defence.

As athletes get older these injuries are harder to recover from.

With Francis Saili and Ryan Crotty involved in the All Blacks set-up this year there is some good talent coming through. The possible return of Sonny Bill Williams also means there is a genuine superstar in the picture for 2014.

Nonu has had a good run, but it has got to end. His best are behind him and in the interests of New Zealand rugby, now is the time for another player to fill his boots.

Francis Saili will make his Test debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in this weekend's Rugby Championship match in Hamilton, covering at second five-eighth for the injured Ma'a Nonu. 

It has been a long wait for Saili, after initially being named in the All Blacks squad to take on France in their three-match series in June, but not making it onto the field. 

At just 22 years old, Saili is still very much a growing player, but a strong Super 15 campaign with the Blues saw him catch the eye of the selectors and jump into the role of potential backup to Nonu.

Indeed, who would fill this role has been something of a mystery for much of 2013, with there being no obvious replacement with the departure of Tamati Ellison.

Daniel Carter is certainly an option, a strong runner and a tough defender, but moving him out into the midfield would be a waste when he is so valuable as a first five-eighth. 

Ryan Crotty's name has been thrown around a lot too, after an impressive showing in the Super 15, beginning to look dangerous running at gaps as well as remaining solid on defence. He was duly rewarded with his first test cap earlier in the Rugby Championship against Australia.

But this week it is Saili that has gotten the nod, a dangerous runner who is capable of slicing through defences and will add flair to an already lethal All Blacks' back line.

His lack of experience may be something of a concern, but he will be sandwiched between Carter and Conrad Smith, two of the world's most intelligent and capable players. It is a good situation for the youngster to be in and will allow him to focus on doing the basics right and concentrating on his own game, while Carter and Smith can call the shots.

Playing outside Carter will suit him too, as Carter likes to take the ball to the line and will look to put Saili into gaps rather than force him to create for himself, making him that much more dangerous. 

Of course he is known for the occasional lapse, the odd bad pass or defensive blunder. But in many cases the good far outweigh the bad, and as long as he focuses on just doing his core job while adding a bit of spark here and there, he should do fine against an Argentinian team who have looked average at best so far in 2013.

He isn't as destructive with ball in hand as Ma'a Nonu, while not being as rock solid on defence or possessing the same distribution game, either. But Nonu, like many others in this All Blacks side, will not be around forever, and new talent needs to be found so there is a replacement ready when needed.

Saili's form over the last 12 months has been promising, and he looks to be one of the best bets to be this replacement. The man is electric—he has flair and instinct that can't be coached. The rest can come with experience; just give him time. For now he just has to do a job and make the most of his opportunity.