Rugby: When an irresistible force meets an immovable object

Tana Umaga. Photo / Dean Purcell

If Tana Umaga had his way, they would have been playing together.

The mentor wanted his apprentice, Sonny Bill Williams, with him at Counties Manukau, where they could forge one of the most fearsome midfield combinations in this year's ITM Cup.

As it transpired, Sonny Bill Williams realised he needed a red-and-black education before graduating to the All Blacks and next weekend Umaga will line up against Williams in a competitive match for the first time.

It provides a fascinating sub-plot to a wider theatre as Counties travel to Christchurch with their season still hanging in the balance and another chance to lift the Ranfurly Shield.

Umaga and Williams have been the most discussed midfielders in this year's competition for very different reasons.

Most have marvelled at Umaga's ability to fend off advancing age to help Counties into top-seven contention. More have been left spellbound by Williams' ability to offload in the tackle and lay on tries for team-mates. What they might have been able to do together...

Umaga famously recruited Williams to Toulon, playing a major hand in one of the biggest sporting stories of 2008, and then convinced him to return to New Zealand this year to push for a World Cup spot.

Umaga even gifted Williams the All Blacks shirt he wore in his 74th and final test against Scotland in 2005 the night before Williams returned to these shores - to help crystalise his ambition.

Umaga's reputation is already cast, regardless of what he does next weekend, but Williams' is only just being forged in rugby union. The younger man will undoubtedly respect his opposite on Saturday night but will equally want to better him.

Few have done that this season, with Umaga proving as difficult as ever to navigate around.

There are few, however, who can stop Williams when the former Kiwis international is in the mood. It is what makes him such a compelling prospect.

What unfolds in midfield next Saturday could go a long way to deciding the match.