Sonny Bill Williams continues to learn the ropes as Ioane brothers shine in Sydney
Fiji, South Africa and England all perfect on day one at Sydney Sevens
Sonny Bill Williams continued his rugby sevens education in Sydney on Saturday but brothers Akira and Rieko Ioane showed that New Zealand already have plenty of star quality without the dual code international.
Williams, who scored a try with his first touch in a sevens match in Wellington last week, produced a trademark offload for a score and went on a couple of bulldozing runs as the All Blacks Sevens made a solid start to the inaugural Sydney Sevens.
Victories over Canada and Portugal as well as a last-gasp draw with hosts Australia put the 12-time world champions into Sunday’s quarter-finals at the stadium where Williams once strutted his stuff in the colours of rugby league’s Sydney Roosters.
I’ve shed a few kilos and I’m still learning the ropes but I’m loving the game of sevens at the moment
“It’s great to be back on my old stomping ground and I’m just grateful to be in such a great side,” said Williams, twice a Rugby World Cup winner with the 15-man All Blacks side.
“I’ve shed a few kilos and I’m still learning the ropes but I’m loving the game of sevens at the moment.”
New Zealand captain Tim Mikkelson has been impressed.
“He’s going good,” he said. “His first time ever last week and he went well. He goes well at training, he’s asking a lot of questions.
