Maloney backs lure of SBW
Sonny Bill Williams’ Super League presence could draw some European rugby union punters to rugby league, claims a former NRL team-mate.
James Maloney played alongside Williams at the Roosters for two years after leaving the Warriors.
He will clash with the ex-All Black in Super League this season with Williams turning out as the Toronto Wolfpack’s $10 million man and Maloney a marquee player for the Catalans Dragons.
Catalans – who have also signed controversial former Wallabies rugby fullback Israel Folau – host Toronto in Perpignan in round 10 on April 11, and Maloney clearly cannot wait.
The banter flowed at last week’s Super League launch when Maloney said: ‘‘I remember the last time [SBW] left [league] he said he’d never come back to league because in rugby he can make seven tackles and that’s in a big game.
‘‘Now he’s got to come back, play in the back-row, make 15 hit-ups and 25 tackles but I guess when that kind of pay cheque is thrown at you forget about all that contact.’’
However, Maloney’s respect for Williams
was evident this week when he told the Love Rugby League website that the 34-year-old Kiwi could attract a new audience to Super League.
‘‘With it being so rugby union dominated in Europe, to have someone with someone with such a standing in rugby union playing rugby league is great,’’ Maloney said.
Maloney also told the Daily Mirror: ‘‘I’m sure everywhere he goes there’ll be rugby union fans that come to rugby league games to watch Sonny and check it out.’’
Williams and Maloney were at the Roosters together in 2013 and 2014.
They played in the eastern Sydney club’s 2013 grand final victory, alongside current Kiwis Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, and former Kiwis prop Sam Moa, who also now plays for Catalans.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to playing against [SBW],’’ Maloney said.
‘‘I’ve played with him for a couple of years and I’m excited about the opportunity to line up against him.’’
Maloney, 33, has joined Catalans on a three-year contract after 249 NRL games since 2009, three Australia caps and 14 State of Origin appearance for New South Wales.