Switch behind SBW moment

STEVE Hansen has leapt to the defence of Sonny Bill Williams, whose brain fade during the All Blacks Test win over France has set off another wave of anti-SBW sentiment.

Williams’ critics pounced on the 32-year-old’s deliberate slapping of the ball over the dead ball line in Paris, resulting in a yellow card and a penalty try. The action is legitimate in Williams’ former code, rugby league.

“I reckon you guys need to be a little bit careful how hard you are on him,” Hansen said.