Tokyo (AFP)

He attracts light. Always. Even substitute against Ireland on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the All Black Sonny Bill Williams remains in the center of attention.

Thursday, in a press conference two days of the clash against the XV of Clover, he was sitting alongside Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Codie Taylor. But the pillar and the hooker had to be content with crumbs (three questions about fifteen in total) so "SBW" absorbs the light.

For, at 34, the third-line center (1.97 m, 111 kg) and the plastic manikin, remains a star. An icon of rugby New Zealand, which has a hundred selections cumulated at VII, XIII and XV. And titles to the shovel (twice world champion in XV, finalist of the World Cup and best player of the world XIII, twice winner of the National Rugby League XIII).

In Japan, for his third World Cup, he played only two games but that did not prevent him from registering a try, during the correction imposed in Canada (63-0).

Williams, 34, is a monument but his coach Steve Hansen sees it more as an "impact player". A luxury replacement role that matches its explosive profile, power, and ability to open defenses.

"We have a great team, my role with Ryan Crotty is to prepare them as best we can, we're proud to try to be all world-class players," he said. .

Long injured, operated from one knee in April before being injured again hamstrings, the one who also indulges in boxing is a vital link in the All Blacks. "I just want to have fun," assures, modest, the former Toulounais with a big smile.

- Third World -

"I'm much more relaxed than at my first World Cup and certainly, a little more aware of how lucky I am.With a little hindsight, we realize that it's a dream job." That's why I smile, "explained Williams before the start of the Japanese World Cup.

Because the former bad boy seems now appeased. "We do what we have to do, we are natural, the guys are real, they say what they think, it's not always perfect, but we talk about our difficulties, what we overcame. I am a Muslim, Jack Goodhue is a Christian, others do not believe ... But we put our differences aside to improve ourselves, and that's cool, "he says.

Holder in 2011, replacing in 2015, adviser and "supersub" in 2019, Sonny Bill Williams accepts his status. Without a frown. The All Blacks may look for the formula in the center, he is content with what he is given.

"There is an outside pressure, that's for sure, but especially an internal pressure, we have so many good players that the expectations are high, we also challenge ourselves.If you do not play well, someone will take your place, the most important is the team, we are disinterested, the most important thing is to do our best.If you mix all this, you still have a great team, "says the Auckland player Blues.

Better, Williams is happy today. And he plays his veteran role thoroughly. "The band has evolved, it's been ten years that I practice the All Blacks, I leave the team, I go back there ... I do not know if I would have had the same conversations ten years ago It's moving forward, and so am I, "says Williams. Quiet, like Sonny Bill.

© 2019 AFP