Sonny Bill's set to shine [Marlborough Express]
Excitement grows as sports superstar pencilled in for appearance in Blenheim game, Patrick Dawkins reports.
He is the biggest drawcard in New Zealand sport and next Sunday the people of Marlborough will likely get the chance to see Sonny Bill Williams in action in the flesh.
The Counties Manukau Rugby Union confirmed on Tuesday Williams would make his return to rugby for them against Auckland on Wednesday.
This would be followed by a game against the Tasman Makos in Blenheim next Sunday, which conveniently coincides with Ladies' Day at Lansdowne Park, a Tasman Rugby Union promotion encouraging more women to attend matches.
Williams' return to New Zealand rugby after a two-year stint in the NRL was announced in December.
However, it was not until his Sydney Roosters club was knocked out of the NRL playoffs last month that he became available to Counties Manukau.
Tasman Makos chief executive Tony Lewis is excited at the prospect of having not only a great athlete, but probably the highest profile sportsperson in Australasia come to town.
"I think it's an opportunity for the rugby fans in the Tasman region to see one of the most talked about rugby players to ever play the game.
"Kids will talk about the time they went to see Sonny Bill play."
The pull of SBW is expected to increase attendance at Lansdowne Park for a match that could decide whether the Makos secure a home semifinal and potentially a final.
"I can remember a couple of years ago he played his first [Canterbury club] game in Belfast and about 3000 turned up.
"So we are hoping 3000 extra people may turn up," Lewis said.
After beginning his professional rugby league career as an 18-year-old with NRL team the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004, Williams has won glory on league and rugby fields as well as in the boxing ring. He is a dual international in the two rugby codes, was a member of the 2011 World Cup winning All Blacks team, has won Super Rugby and NRL titles, and won the New Zealand heavyweight championship in the boxing ring.
Lewis is not concerned that the injection of a player of Williams' quality into their opposition could hamper the Makos in what is an important match.
"I don't see it as a thing stopping us winning. I see it as the opposite, an opportunity for the fans to see a great player, an opportunity for our players to play against a great player, and a great opportunity for them to showcase their talent."
- The Marlborough Express Tasman Makos v Counties Manukau at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, next Sunday. Kick-off is at 4.35pm. Tickets from $12, children 12 and under free, available at makos.co.nz, by phoning 
0800 224 224 or at Marlborough Floorpride Civic Theatre.
