Sonny Bill Williams

Referee Career

Vital Statistics

Born
Saturday, 3rd August, 1985
Current Age
38 years and 239 days
Place Of Birth
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Awards & Accolades

RLIF Rookie Of The Year
2004
RLPA Rookie of the Year
2004
RLIF Player Of The Year
2013
RLIF Second Rower Of The Year
2013

Known Family Links

Cousin
Henry Perenara
Marcus Perenara

Biography

Auckland teenager made his first grade debut with the Bulldogs with a mountain of expectation on his young shoulders. Williams was regarded as one of the best junior prospects ever to come out of NZ – a wrap that Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes did his best to hose done before the start of the season. Although used sparingly from the interchange bench as a centre or back rower early in the year, he made his Test debut in the ANZac Test after 5 first grade appearances. Williams quickly grew in confidence and his impact value was an integral factor in the Bulldogs’ unstoppable grand final momentum. He ultimately won a premiership (again from the interchange bench) in his debut season but the long season started to take its toll when he was used as a starting forward for the Kiwis in the 16-all draw against Australia in October and in NZ’s unsuccessful Tri Nations campaign. Injuries limited him to just 5 matches in 2005 (and no Tests) and although he returned to the NZ Test team for the 50-12 loss to Australia in May 2006, injury again ruled him out of Tri-Nations selection at the end of the year.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Referee Career Statistics

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Contributions: Rugby League Tables, Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson, Paul Carter, Alan Katzmann, Greg Fiveash, AJ Lucantonio, Tim Costello

Sources: NRL 2004 Official Rugby League Annual, 2006 Official Rugby League Annual