Money Bill doesn't get it
June 03, 2009
It appears Money Bill Williams still has a lot of learning to do.
Some of the comments he has made over the past week show that he has little grasp of the feeling of animosity directed his way since his 'Dog' of an act to walk out on his NRL team-mates, club and fans last year.
Williams is set to make his return to the Sydney Football Stadium turf on Saturday night as his involvement in the Barbarians/Wallabies rapidly becomes a circus act.
It will be the first time he has played on the arena since throwing his toys out of his cot and walking away from a long-term, big-dollar, deal with the Bulldogs.
But it wasn't enough for Money Bill, walking out on the club which helped fund his education while he was growing up in Auckland.
The fact that he wasn't man enough to honour his contract was one blight on his name and character.
But the way he went about his walkabout, boarding a plane to Europe without even notifying anyone at the club, was even more galling and says a lot about him.
Since returning to Australia, firstly for his professional 'boxing' debut, Money Bill has tried to play down the furore of both his departure and his subsequent return.
The highly-paid runaway has tried to deflect criticism over his flight of fancy by saying that he now had no animosity towards the Bulldogs or league top-brass.
Gee, that's really big of him.
And on the issue of whether he would be cheered or booed at the SFS, Money Bill says he is always going to have his "critics", based on the fact that he is a league player now trying his hand at union.
The feeling of anger, and in some cases hatred, that remains towards Money Bill has more to do with the way he shafted his team-mates and fans when he didn't get his own way in terms of a pay rise at the Bulldogs.
Some great rugby players have worn the Barbarians' iconic black and white hooped jersey that Williams will wear on Saturday night.
But in my mind, he certainly does not fit into that category.
His inclusion is nothing more than a marketing ploy; and you have to say a very successful marketing ploy.
There is also a grey area between when a marketing ploy becomes a circus act. And the latter is what I think Money Bill's inclusion in the Barbarians has become.
On the strength of what he has shown with Toulon in France's Top 14, he does not warrant the hype that has been directed his way in terms of his rugby ability.
On the evidence of matches broadcast in New Zealand, he has at-times been a liability, especially on defence.
His once-stated stance that a shift to union was so he could fulfil a 'dream' of playing for the All Blacks is looking as flimsy as some of his on-field efforts in the 15-man code.
Money Bill confirmed earlier this week that he was now unlikely to return to New Zealand and try to secure an All Black spot in time for the 2011 World Cup.
Such a move would hit him in the pocket, something he has already shown he isn't prepared to stomach in his league career.
Manu Samoa, who he qualifies for through ancestry, was now an option.
By 2011 he will also qualify for France on residential grounds if he opts to remain over there.
The fact that what we've seen from him in rugby would not warrant All Black selection also can't be glossed over.
There is no doubt that Money Bill has special attributes as an athlete.
But he isn't all he is said to be on the rugby field; neither does it appear he has a full grasp on why he was voted the most hated man in Australia last year.
What do you think?
Do you believe the hype? Or do you think he has a lot to work on both on and off the field?
Some of the comments he has made over the past week show that he has little grasp of the feeling of animosity directed his way since his 'Dog' of an act to walk out on his NRL team-mates, club and fans last year.
Williams is set to make his return to the Sydney Football Stadium turf on Saturday night as his involvement in the Barbarians/Wallabies rapidly becomes a circus act.
It will be the first time he has played on the arena since throwing his toys out of his cot and walking away from a long-term, big-dollar, deal with the Bulldogs.
But it wasn't enough for Money Bill, walking out on the club which helped fund his education while he was growing up in Auckland.
The fact that he wasn't man enough to honour his contract was one blight on his name and character.
But the way he went about his walkabout, boarding a plane to Europe without even notifying anyone at the club, was even more galling and says a lot about him.
Since returning to Australia, firstly for his professional 'boxing' debut, Money Bill has tried to play down the furore of both his departure and his subsequent return.
The highly-paid runaway has tried to deflect criticism over his flight of fancy by saying that he now had no animosity towards the Bulldogs or league top-brass.
Gee, that's really big of him.
And on the issue of whether he would be cheered or booed at the SFS, Money Bill says he is always going to have his "critics", based on the fact that he is a league player now trying his hand at union.
The feeling of anger, and in some cases hatred, that remains towards Money Bill has more to do with the way he shafted his team-mates and fans when he didn't get his own way in terms of a pay rise at the Bulldogs.
Some great rugby players have worn the Barbarians' iconic black and white hooped jersey that Williams will wear on Saturday night.
But in my mind, he certainly does not fit into that category.
His inclusion is nothing more than a marketing ploy; and you have to say a very successful marketing ploy.
There is also a grey area between when a marketing ploy becomes a circus act. And the latter is what I think Money Bill's inclusion in the Barbarians has become.
On the strength of what he has shown with Toulon in France's Top 14, he does not warrant the hype that has been directed his way in terms of his rugby ability.
On the evidence of matches broadcast in New Zealand, he has at-times been a liability, especially on defence.
His once-stated stance that a shift to union was so he could fulfil a 'dream' of playing for the All Blacks is looking as flimsy as some of his on-field efforts in the 15-man code.
Money Bill confirmed earlier this week that he was now unlikely to return to New Zealand and try to secure an All Black spot in time for the 2011 World Cup.
Such a move would hit him in the pocket, something he has already shown he isn't prepared to stomach in his league career.
Manu Samoa, who he qualifies for through ancestry, was now an option.
By 2011 he will also qualify for France on residential grounds if he opts to remain over there.
The fact that what we've seen from him in rugby would not warrant All Black selection also can't be glossed over.
There is no doubt that Money Bill has special attributes as an athlete.
But he isn't all he is said to be on the rugby field; neither does it appear he has a full grasp on why he was voted the most hated man in Australia last year.
What do you think?
Do you believe the hype? Or do you think he has a lot to work on both on and off the field?
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