NEW PLYMOUTH: Sonny Bill Williams is a "machine" on the field, but Waikato Chiefs monster Ben Tameifuna says the cross-code superstar's off-field presence will be the decisive factor in lifting the club back to Super Rugby supremacy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Chiefs are intent on "getting one back" against the ACT Brumbies, who knocked the Hamilton-based side out of the finals last year but haven't beaten the Chiefs in New Zealand since 2007.
Dual Super Rugby and NRL premiership winner Williams looms as the Chiefs' trump card in the clash in New Plymouth, just his second game back in rugby union after ending his stint with the Sydney Roosters.
Tameifuna, who played with Williams in the Chiefs' 2012 Super Rugby championship, says the players have already benefited from the 29-year-old's influence as they set their sights on their third title in four years.
The Chiefs believe Williams has returned to rugby a better player following his successful two seasons in the NRL.
"He brings a lot of professionalism for the young fellas. He's on top of everything – homework and recovery – you pick up on that because he wouldn't be the player he is if he wasn't doing that," Tameifuna said.
"Everyone knows that on the field that he's an absolute machine with some of the things he does. But it's his leadership stuff and the things he does away from rugby which people don't see.
"He's just a good guy all around ... he does the little things that make a difference and make this team better. The boys feed off that and he's come back as a much better player than before. He can only get better from here on."
The Chiefs have called on reinforcements for a re-match of the 2013 grand final against the Brumbies, recalling Aaron Cruden, Liam Messam, Hosea Gear and Brodie Retallick for the blockbuster in New Zealand.
But the Brumbies are focused on resurrecting their record away from Canberra after winning just one of four matches in New Zealand and South Africa last year and just three of eight games on the road.
"Our record away from home last year was poor. We've got a challenge against ourselves on the road," coach Stephen Larkham said.
"The Chiefs are certainly one of the strongest sides in Super Rugby on paper. They gutsed out a win last week and they've got a huge amount of experience this week. They're definitely a benchmark of the competition."
The Brumbies have made minimal changes to their side for the clash in New Plymouth, with Pocock's ankle injury causing the only reshuffle.
It is hoped Pocock will recover quickly after being ruled out just one game into a comeback from two knee reconstructions.
Reigning Brumbies player of the year Jarrad Butler steps into the openside flanker spot while Ita Vaea is in the starting side for the first time in three years following his recovery from life-threatening blood clots on his heart.
Back-up flanker Sean Doyle will make his debut from the bench after training in borrowed boots on Thursday because his bag was left in Sydney on his first Super Rugby trip.
The Brumbies got some revenge last year when they smashed the Chiefs in an Anzac Day battle and then knocked them out of the title race in a semi-final showdown in Canberra.
"We definitely want to win and and it would be good to get one back on them because we'll probably meet them again this year in the finals," Tameifuna said.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND TWO
Friday: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies at New Plymouth, 5.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2.
BRUMBIES TEAM: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Sam Carter, 5. Rory Arnold, 6. Scott Fardy, 7. Jarrad Butler, 8. Ita Vaea, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Robbie Coleman. Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. Jean-Pierre Smith, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Jordan Smiler, 20. Sean Doyle, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Lausii Taliauli.
CHIEFS TEAM: 1. Jamie Mackintosh, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Matt Symons, 5. Michael Fitzgerald, 6. Liam Messam, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Maama Vaipulu, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Hosea Gear, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Charlie Ngatai, 14. Bryce Heem, 15. James Lowe. Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Brodie Retallick, 20. Tevita Koloamatangi, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Seta Tamanivalu.
