All Black Sonny Bill Williams has given his Rugby World Cup winner medal to a young boy who was "smoked" in a tackle from a security guard. His fellow All Blacks couldn't be more generous in their praise for SBW.
All Black Sonny Bill Williams has been presented with a winners medal at the World Rugby awards today after giving his original medal to a fan following yesterday's final win over Australia.
Williams gave his medal to a young boy who was "smoked" in a tackle from a security guard after running on the field. Williams said he felt sorry for the boy.
"A young fella snuck onto the field somehow but when he was coming up to give me a hug, he got smoked by a security guard, full-on tackled him. He was only eight and the other fella was a big man so he was lucky he didn't break his ribs or something," Williams explained about the encounter with Charlie Line, who is in fact 14.
"If that was a younger brother or cousin I would have given the security guard a hiding you know. But I just picked the kid up and took him back to his old lady and tried to make the night more memorable for him.
Williams was moved by the gift of a new winner's medal. Photo / Getty Images
SBW and Richie McCaw at the awards ceremony. Photo / Getty Images
"I think the moment got the better of him but he was just so excited to get onto the field with the All Blacks. I just thought I'd make it a night to remember for him.
"Rather than have the medal hanging up at home, it's going to hanging around that young fella's neck. He can tell that story for a long time to come."
Williams then posted on his Instagram: "Only takes one thing to change someone's life. Enjoy it Charlie bro."
For a kid 2 have that will and take that risk, you deserve a medal. Enjoy bro https://t.co/M0hyD7btdl
Charlie, a year 9 pupil at the prestigious independent Millfield School in Somerset, was watching the match with his family, including his brother Will Line and cousin Harry Glenn, who posed for pictures wearing the medal.
Charlie and Will's parents are both British, and were educated at Rugby School, but the two boys are understood to have been born in Singapore, and to have lived in various locations around the world. Their mother, Amanda, is a partner at PWC, the accountants, based in Dubai.
Williams: "I just thought I'd make it a night to remember for him." Photo / Getty Images
"Only takes one thing to change someone's life. Enjoy it, Charlie bro." Photo / Getty Images
Williams gives Charlie a hug as Steve Hansen looks on.
Williams was also lauded for consoling deflated South Africa players after the semis, and offered finals tickets to Syrian refugees.
Any agency in London with a Syrian refugee that wants 2go to the game 2mrw I have two tickets to give you. Let me know
Williams, who next year will concentrate on Sevens and the Rio Olympic Games, had earlier thanked the nation for their support and also passed on his love to family.
Williams already has plenty of silverware. In the last four years he has won the World Cup twice, an NRL title with the Roosters and three heavyweight boxing fights.
The All Blacks are up for team of the year at the World Rugby awards, while Dan Carter is a nominee for player of the year and Steve Hansen coach of the year.
