All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams gets off to slow start in Japan's Top League
Expensive hire Sonny Bill Williams has yet to light a fire under the Japanese game
Three games, two defeats, one try and a fair bit of frustration: Sonny Bill Williams hasn't made the smoothest of starts to life in Japan's Top League.
The former All Blacks centre and New Zealand heavyweight boxing champion, one of rugby union's most bankable stars, was expected to take Japan by storm when he began his lucrative stint this month.
It has not worked out that way, and Williams could not suppress his irritation last weekend after the Panasonic Wild Knights went down 32-22 to Toshiba Brave Lupus, despite his debut try.
"I just felt really disappointed and frustrated," he said. "I just want to pay back my teammates and the Panasonic supporters. They have shown a lot of faith in me. When we lose I feel the weight on my shoulders."
For the World Cup-winner, who will join Australia's National Rugby League when he finishes in Japan, it has been a difficult step down from Super 15 and tests to the Top League, especially as regards refereeing.
"That was blatant," he said, when asked about an incident when he was tackled in mid-air. "I was a bit frustrated by some of the calls. But that's how the game is played here.