Star Williams’ cocaine charge ‘harms All Blacks legacy’
WELLINGTON: New Zealand media yesterday accused Ali Williams of tarnishing the image of the All Blacks after French police charged the World Cup-winning former international with buying cocaine.
Williams and ex-Wallaby James O’Connor were arrested outside a Paris nightspot over the weekend after allegedly being caught with 2.4 grammes of the drug.
Fairfax New Zealand sports columnist Kevin Norquay said such behaviour was unacceptable for a former All Black, let alone one who once led the team’s fabled haka war dance.
“Ali Williams has hauled the proud black name through the white powder dirt,” he wrote. “He’s not just a silly boy with money having a bit of a lark outside a Paris nightclub.
“He’s Ali Williams, All Black lock, 77 Test caps, World Cup winner in 2011. Wearer of the Silver Fern, dispenser of the haka.”
Norquay said Williams’ status as an All Black was the reason he was in France playing for Racing 92, the defending Top 14 champions who have suspended the 35-year-old indefinitely over the incident.
“Williams’ allegedly illegal act did not hurt only himself, or those close to him — such as his wife and small children. He harmed the All Black legacy,” he added.
Williams is the second ex-All Black at Racing 92 to face trouble with the law after the legendary Dan Carter was caught drinkdriving in Paris earlier this month.
Newstalk ZB’s France correspondent Catherine Field said Racing 92 promoted itself as a family club and would have expected better from its high-profile recruits.
“It’s not just a glamour club, it’s a club that’s really based around family... It’s really something that goes against the ethics of this particular club,” she said.