Robbie Deans believes New Zealand’s style of play will be altered by the departure of star midfielder Sonny Bill Williams, but the general consensus is the All Black machine will keep rolling on.
The Wallabies coach praised Williams for his influential performance in New Zealand’s Bledisloe-sealing 22-0 win over Australia on Saturday night, and said the Japanese rugby and then NRL-bound star will be sorely missed.
With the accomplished Conrad Smith due back from injury at outside centre for the rest of the Rugby Championship and Ma’a Nonu to reclaim Williams’ No.12 jersey – the All Blacks’ midfield will still be a force.
However, Deans says the dynamic offloading ability and infectious confidence of Williams will be difficult to replace.
“He’s one of those players who impacts on the people around him,” said Deans.
“He’s a bloke who just loves to compete, exudes belief in his ability to not only compete but prevail.
“He takes people with him, they run off him, he creates momentum, he creates excitement.
“Players chase in the … knowledge that he will provide something for them. Whether it be getting beyond the gain line and providing the ability to play or whether it be the opportunity to run onto a ball with zero resistance in front of you.
“Players like that make a big difference to teams.”
Winger Digby Ioane said Williams’ lasting legacy for the New Zealand team is how his individual brilliance has rubbed off on the forwards.
“I’ve just never seen their forward pack play as backs. They’ve got so much skill they dominate us in every way,” said Ioane.
“They can punish you not just one-on-one, they can offload like Sonny Bill does, so that really cut us into pieces.”
Stephen Moore, who joined Jeremy Paul as the most capped Wallabies hooker of all time on Saturday night, says the world champions are anything but a one-man team.
“They’ve got blokes right across the park. Look at Israel Dagg and how well he’s played in the last 12 months. I think he’s been probably their best back really – he’s been outstanding,” said Moore.
“One guy goes another guy comes in. That’s the way it is here.”