Chris Rattue: SBW deserves a good punch

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Go Scott Lewis, and give that Sonny Bill Williams a decent clout for those of us who are sick of his self-centred antics.

I'll be in the Lewis corner, figuratively speaking, when this latest sporting insult - to boxing that is - takes place in Newcastle late next month.

Even if Sonny Bill cops a decent punch from Lewis, it's unlikely to destroy his rugby career. Plenty of men have risen from the canvas after enduring more than Lewis can dish out.

Williams is unnecessarily increasing his injury risk though, especially to the hands.

And what of the damage that is impossible to measure? A sapping summer boxing regime could well take a toll around World Cup time. Boxing and the training required are incredibly draining, even at bum level.

And Williams' NZRU boxing clause makes a joke of the rest, rotation and Mediterranean swimming policies of 2007.

Is Williams really attempting to be the very best rugby player he can be? That's the question with the unfortunate answer here.

This from a bloke who apparently struggles in a limelight that he actually appears to court, and who was supposedly prepared to sacrifice all for the All Blacks. As for Williams' claim that boxing helps his rugby footwork and angles - pure fantasy and an excuse for indulging himself.

This was always the worry with our Super Hero - that he wouldn't knuckle down to the job even after getting a World Cup welcome mat.

The Sonny Bill Williams who treated his club, teammates and fans with disdain at the Canterbury Bulldogs is the same one that rugby has got.

He has serious rugby potential, no doubt. But he has hard rugby work to go and that's where his mind and body should be concentrated.

After all, he'll probably be away to new adventures at the end of next year so couldn't the boxing wait until then?

Williams should also be in the Crusaders' corner instead of doing the ring thing on the eve of their campaign. Don't forget he has already transgressed at Canterbury, turning into Ski Sonny when injured. Maybe he forgot to mention that skiing also helps his rugby footwork and is a world-famous remedy for knee and hamstring injuries.

No doubt the NZRU knew all along that even if Williams didn't quite make it as an All Black, his public profile was worth bending over backwards for. But we'll just laugh the next time anybody mentions a long season.

Williams should use the extended All Blacks' off-season for proper rest and rugby-specific build-up. Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is hardly delighted, although Canterbury coach Rob Penney is supportive.

I'm with Blackadder, who as a player won hearts with a famous dedication to his rugby causes.