KEY POINTS:
I am glad the Sonny Bill Williams saga has had a chance to unfold and the dust settle. It has been interesting to hear some of the comments and debate.
Is it Williams having issues with the Bulldogs, or is it because Willie Mason told Sonny Bill to
stay at the club before moving on himself? Is it the salary cap or just for money, or is it because he wants to play rugby union?
To be honest, I don't really care. Like everyone else, I was floored when the news broke that he had left for France and was contracted to play rugby union.
As we have since found out, it was with a promise to be contracted and certainly not for the price quoted.
Nonetheless, Williams committed the ultimate crime in team sports: abandoning his team-mates.
In any team sport, the first rule is that you do everything for the team and you don't give up on your mates. This is the worst of any transgression against team-mates.
You can compare what Williams has done with the actions of Sally Robbins, better known as 'Lay Down Sally' from the Australian women's Olympic rowing eight.
Robbins gave up on her team in Athens before the end of the race, as Williams did before the end of the season.
At the time, some Australians called Robbins' act "un-Australian". So what then do we say of Williams' actions?
Mark Geyer called it a dog act. I tend to agree but the terminology is a little over the top.
Or is it? I could not trust a player coming into my team if he had just walked out of his. It's not a matter of if he will do it again but when.
If we are to believe the bulk of the comments, then Williams walked out for money. If that is the case, then it will only take a big offer from another club and he will be off.
With a reputation of playing for the dollar (or Euro), how long will it take for a high-roller to try to tempt him to throw a match for money? This may seem a little extreme but I still cannot fathom the fact that he has done what he has.
I question the advice he has received from his agents and supporters and those who have enticed him to Europe. This calls into question the antics of officials in France, including Tana Umaga.
Until the truth comes to light, all sorts of accusations and bitter statements will be made.
