Kiwi chiefs under fire over Williams debacle
Decision to dump Tohu Harris from Kiwis’ 24-man squad for Sonny Bill sparks outrage
The New Zealand Rugby League was on Thursday accused of lacking integrity and pandering to the whims of Sonny Bill Williams after belatedly adding the superstar to the World Cup squad.
“Day of shame for NZ rugby league” roared the back page following Wednesday’s decision to dump rookie Tohu Harris from the Kiwis’ 24-man squad for Williams after the former All Black made himself available at the last minute.
Former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe said the handling of the situation resembled “amateur hour”, while Harris declared himself “bitterly disappointed” at having the chance to represent his country taken away.
“I was very much looking forward to going, however I understand the decision that has been made and hope I get another opportunity to play for the Kiwis in the future,” he said.
Williams, who on Wednesday night added the Sydney Roosters’ player of the year award to the National Rugby League championship he won with the club on the weekend, apologised to Harris.
“I’m really sorry about the Tohu situation it was never my intention I just followed my heart, now I promise I’ll play with all of it,” he tweeted.
“The axing of Harris from the Kiwis’ World Cup squad a day after his selection, for sport’s No1 narcissist Sonny Bill Williams, is, in my opinion disgusting,” Rattue wrote.
Radio Sport commentator Brendan Telfer said Harris’ axing was a “brutal decision” but reflected the reality that Williams is one of the world’s best players and significantly boosts the Kiwis’ chances of defending the title they won in 2008.
“I don’t know how much integrity there is in sport anyway these days, it seems to be something that was swept out the door long ago and this is another example of it,” he said.
“They were damned if they did and damned if they didn’t,” he wrote, pointing out that Williams’ prevarication had put selectors in a difficult position.
The code-hopping 28-year-old is expected to announce by the end of the month whether he will stay with league or rejoin the All Blacks for a tilt at the 2015 World Cup and the Olympic sevens in 2016.