Murray Kinsella reports from Twickenham
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS strolls into the mixed zone in bare feet, with his hair still perfectly in place, a smile across his face, and tattoos all over his arms.
But for the dirty playing shorts you wouldn’t really know he’d just helped New Zealand to the World Cup.
The fact that Williams doesn’t have the same gold medal hanging around his neck that all of his teammates do makes it even more jarring.
The best offloader in the world did get a winner’s medal along with the rest of the All Blacks but almost immediately gave it away to a young supporter in Twickenham.
“A young fella snuck on 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,” explains Williams.
“He was only eight and the other fella was a full-on man, so it looked like he would break his ribs or something.
The moment probably just got the better of him but he was just so excited to get on the field with the All Blacks. I thought I’d make it a night to remember for him, rather than my medal being hanging up at home or something like that.
“It will be hanging around that young guy’s neck and he can tell that story for years to come. He might be a future All Black!
“I’m pleased that he has it because I know that he’ll appreciate it. When he gets older he’ll be telling his kids things like that. That’s more special than having it hanging up on my wall at home.”
Williams said he doesn’t think he’ll come to regret the kind gesture, instead pointing out that he only had to look around at his teammates’ faces after the game for the ultimate token of what this World Cup means.
“The bonds that we have as brothers in the changing room are the most important thing,” says Williams.
The medal represents the win, but going in and seeing the smiles on the boys faces, knowing that we’ve accomplished something no other All Blacks team has done, is pretty special.”
Aside from giving away his medal, Williams also handed off another generous gift in the shape of his sensational offload for Ma’a Nonu’s second half try.
“I told him that when I saw him go through I knew he was going to score,” says Williams. “We had some kind words after the game, a moment of reflection. There’s been a lot made between me and him, about our rivalry for the jersey but it’s pushed both of us and helped the team.
“It’s really, really happy times.”
