Shane Williams

[Cutter]

Feel free to put this somewhere else. I think it probably deserves its own thread. One of my favourite non-Wallaby players.

 

[Gnostic]

Williams and Jason Robinson epitomised for me the fact that you don't have to be 6'4" and 100+Kg to be a world class winger. IMO they showed a greater level of skill and posed a greater danger to oppositions in their positions than some of the "big" units that Oz and oter countries preferred on basis of size.

 

[Cave Dweller]

I think Dougie Howlett and co already proved that IMO. He is such a great player. Moved from scrumhalf to wing and became a instant hit.

 

[Bardon]

He was an excellent player. I love documentaries like that and it's such a pity that the motivation to do them only comes about after a player has retired. I'd love if there was a regular 30-60 min show that just did these on a different player each week.

 

[Bardon]

On a related note. Shane has been speaking out against the exodus of Welsh players to France and England:

Shane Williams calls for the WRU to stop player exodus

Shane Williams has called for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to step in and help stop the player drain of Welsh stars to France and England.
Welsh rugby has seen a raft of players leave after being offered big pay days the regions cannot compete with.
"I do think there has to be some involvement with the Union," said Wales' record try scorer, who will retire at the end of the season.
"At the end of the day, we want to keep our players in Wales."

The Ospreys wing, who was named IRB Player of the Year in 2008 and retired from international rugby in December 2011, has seen a host of former Wales team-mates sign for clubs outside Wales.

Blues prop Gethin Jenkins, Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett and Dragons lock Luke Charteris will follow James Hook, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne to France this summer, while Stephen Jones has left the Scarlets to sign for London Wasps.

"There needs to be some kind of commitment from the Welsh regions and the WRU," added Williams.

"There needs to be a happy medium because as far as supporters are concerned, we just want to see Wales successful as a national side and the regions doing well in Europe and the RaboDirect Pro 12.

"It is a very difficult place at the moment, not just in Welsh rugby, but in Wales economically."

The four regions - Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and the Ospreys - have announced a salary cap of £3.5m which will begin at the start of the 2012-13 season, a move which has been welcomed by the WRU.

The four regions and the WRU have also commissioned a financial review by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to address the ongoing financial problems and the dwindling attendances watching the regions.

"The Welsh regions appear to obviously have a problem financially, having said that, the problem is how much finance there is in the French clubs," said Williams.

"That makes it very difficult for players to turn down these offers.

"Even the English clubs are coming in with the big offers which makes it very difficult for the regions to keep hold of these guys.

"It's a shame but I don't blame the players. You have to look after yourself, your family and look after your future as well.

"It's tough for the regions and they are certainly finding it very difficult to compete and because of that they seem to be struggling on the field."

But Williams also offered a strong defence of nearly a decade of regional rugby in Wales despite claims it has failed to capture the public's imagination.

"It has worked," added Williams. "People are asking that question because the Welsh regions haven't been successful in the Heineken Cup, but the Heineken Cup is a tough, tough competition.

"Since the regions were formed, the national side has certainly benefited, we have played some great rugby, won some championships and Grand Slams.

"So something has to be working. Yes, it's been 10 years and there haven't been any Heineken Cup wins but I have no doubt that will happen in the future."

 

[the plastic paddy]

If he hadn't falsely accused a man of racially abusing a fellow pro, been proven to have lied at the citing and then never apologised for it then I would wish him all the best. Unfortunately, he is a lying poisoned dwarf and I and many others will not miss him at all. Looking forward to Munster ruining his leaving party on friday 11th May.

 

[RedCard]

If he hadn't falsely accused a man of racially abusing a fellow pro, been proven to have lied at the citing and then never apologised for it then I would wish him all the best. Unfortunately, he is a lying poisoned dwarf and I and many others will not miss him at all. Looking forward to Munster ruining his leaving party on friday 11th May.

How did you enjoy the Munster ruining party PP? That must have hurt.

 

[TOCC]

I loved watch Shane Williams through the 2003 RWC carving up England at Suncorp Stadium

 

[kiap]

I think Dougie Howlett and co already proved that IMO. He is such a great player. Moved from scrumhalf to wing and became a instant hit.

What you talkin' about, Cave Dweller?

Williams was a great winger (as was Howlett) but Shane is older than Dougie and made his debut first.

Howlett was also not small at 6'1" and 95 kg.

.

 

[Gnostic]

Gion Aplon continuing the theme of great highly skilled players who many would say are too small.

 

[Bardon]

Williams has decided not to retire and is going to play for Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan on a 1 year contract.

 

[Wales Fan]

He just wants a season of rugby where he won't be the smallest guy on the pitch. Lol.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Scarfman]

Is there really a team called the Dynaboars? I'm trying to imagine their mascot.

 

[Scarfman]

Ah. Not very "dyna" after all.

 

[cyclopath]

You're not impressed with Pokemon Pig?

 

[Jnor]

Ah. Not very "dyna" after all.

That's the best mascot ever!

Also, pretty sure Dyna is a type of Mitsubishi truck