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Up close and personal with Ali Williams

Monday 25th August 2008

Keeping it simple: Ali Williams

With the All Blacks currently on a three-week break before returning for what could well be a winner-takes-all Tri-Nations decider against Australia in Brisbane, charismatic lock Ali Williams took some time out to speak with yours truly.

Williams is a towering figure (2.02 metres - the tallest player in the squad) whose presence can be felt whenever he walks into a room, whether it be in his All Black kit, training gear or a Spiderman costume.

He's become a popular member of the All Blacks squad - on and off the field - since making his debut in 2002, and since then he has become an invaluable cog of the New Zealand engine room and one of the real characters of the team.

54 Test caps later, Williams is a virtual All Blacks veteran and, together with locking partner Brad Thorn, provides important leadership within the side.

As well as Williams' traditional tight five abilities, his attacking skills with ball in hand are a valuable component of the All Blacks' forward play, and his all-round athleticism makes him an effective line-out jumper, especially competing on the opposition's throw.

By all accounts the All Blacks lock is also something of a livewire.

He does not mind pushing the boundaries or testing the temperament of others. When the Blues sent him home before the 2007 Super 14 semi-final in Durban, it was obvious he had sparked up the franchise's management once too often. It was also clear he did not get along with coach David Nucifora.

When the Blues sent Williams packing they also fired out a strongly-worded press release, stating his behaviour had been "inappropriate".

It made for ugly reading.

Management cited disrespectful behaviour within the team, issues around promotions and sponsorship commitments and late-night drinking incidents which contravened team protocol.

Not surprisingly, after such public humiliation, Williams was keen to give the Blues the boot.

On the field, there is no doubting Williams' qualities. But he has also been guilty of losing his rag.

In 2005 he was suspended for six weeks for rucking Richie McCaw's head. But in a rugby spirit of forgiveness, Williams joined his good mate Richie at the Crusaders this year, and the two are now flatmates in their home in Christchurch.

Williams, though, has never been known as a bullying brute on the field and his skill-set makes him one of the world's best second rowers. However he always has had a lot to say, but was left speechless - literally - after making a tackle on Sebastien Chabal that left his jaw shattered and wired shut, and sparked a competition to see who could make him the finest soup while it healed..

That was a year ago, but Williams is back to full fitness and more importantly, talkative as ever and Planet Rugby was only happy to listen...

PR: Ali, welcome to Planet Rugby. We weren't too sure what attire you were going to grace us with and I must say, we are a bit disappointed. (Williams spoke to the New Zealand media in a Spiderman outfit after a Crusaders practice session earlier this year).

AW: Yeah, sorry about that guys. My Spidey outfit is at the dry cleaners.

PR: Fair enough, at least we know your superhuman abilities in the line-out don't require a superhero costume. In the past, New Zealand's line-out has often taken a bashing however you lot seem to be thriving at the moment?

AW: It's gone well so far, but the line-out is one of those things that can change from week to week and we've just got to keep working on our basics in terms of the simple things: lifting, jumping, throwing. Obviously we've got to make sure we switched on mentally and that we've done our homework. But we're happy, and slowly building.

PR: Perhaps the only time the All Blacks came short this year in the line-out was in Dunedin, when you came off injured and the team were left with rookies Anthony Boric and Kevin O'Neill. How much of a difference does it make to a second row when you've lost a mountain of experience?

AW: It makes a huge difference. Especially in terms of how you and the team have trained all week, only for your preparation to come up short with an injury to a player - in this case, it was me. It's one of those things that are hard to explain, but line-outs are one of those things where the longer you are in there and the more balls you've taken, the more everyone knows what's going on and what can be expected of you.

PR: So did Boric and O'Neill do what was expected of them?

AW: It was certainly difficult for them, and for me watching from the sidelines. But you just have to adapt in a situation like that, and move on. In saying that, the guys that stepped in for me were great.

PR: Your performance in the line-outs against South Africa and Australia so far have been the pick of the bunch. How big of a confidence booster is it knowing that you just keep getting better and better with each outing in this Tri-Nations series? Especially knowing that the Springbok and Wallaby jumpers will be the better line-outs you'll come up against.

AW: I think it's that word that you've just mentioned: confidence. That goes a long way in perfecting the team's line-out. But you can't dwell on past performances and rest on your laurels there, mate. You got to keep on moving, keep on striving to get better. You are right though. It's great to be playing in the Tri-Nations, because you do come up against the best in the world.

PR: One of the best you've come up against include the Bok pairing of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. Now that the partnership has been broken following Botha's injury, how do you rate the new guy, Andries Bekker, now that you've played against him at international level?

AW: Obviously we all know what Bakkies Botha brings to the game, but Bekker brings all that - if not more. He's a tower of strength in terms of his physical appearance and also his ability around the track. I rate him as a very special athlete, but I think he just needs more time. But once he gets that, I'll have to get myself back in the gym on a more regular basis I think just to keep up with him.

PR: Bekker stands at a whopping 2.08 metres tall, does height really make much of an impact in the line-out these days?

AW: (Long pause) Depends. Timing and things like that can make a real difference. Height does help, but timing is a bigger factor. Look, he's (Bekker) only 5cm bigger than me. At the end of the day, it doesn't mean a hell of a lot. What if Yoda grew another toe?

We ponder the thought, and then move swiftly along...

PR: Ali, you've been an integral part of All Blacks rugby for a few years now, what do you put your success down to?

AW: I can't tell you (laughs).

PR: Come on, give as a clue...we won't tell anyone.

AW: I think everything for me is about enjoyment with a balance of not enjoying myself too much off the field, but on the field doing my homework, getting the basics right, and not drifting too far off of what's required of me. My role is pretty simple really, hit rucks and mauls, run a line-out, push a scrum and when you can, you tackle. So it's a pretty simple kind of role, but if you try and overcomplicate things, that's when your mind starts playing games. You think you should be doing other things and then the confidence goes when it doesn't go according to plan.

PR: So in other words, keeping it simple. Got it. Your move to the Crusaders seemed a simple decision to make?

AW: Yip, it was.

PR: (Staring blankly)

AW: Ah, you want me to elaborate on that don't you?

PR: Please!

AW: I think I was in need of a different environment, a different challenge. How can I put it? I think it was just good to be playing rugby. Not having to deal with... (takes a long pause)

PR: David Nucifora?

AW: The crap, yeah! (Laughs). The stuff that I don't enjoy in terms of rubbish team politics, I'd rather just play rugby. Again, it's all about getting the balance right. My team-mates are my mates off the field too. If you enjoy something, you do it a lot better I think.

PR: With the Tri-Nations to be decided when New Zealand and Australia go head to head in Brisbane, you guys (the All Blacks) must be pretty positive knowing that the last time out against the Wallabies, you ran away 39-10 winners?

AW: Yes and no. If you have to think that way back to get confidence, you're probably battling a wee bit. I think you gain confidence from the team you are around with, your team-mates, the coaching staff and the fact that you as an individual has done enough preparation.

PR: The 2008 All Blacks look to be enjoying their rugby again. How far has this team come since that fateful night in Cardiff last year?

AW: I think we've come a decent way, you don't have to use your imagination there. We're certainly not perfect. But time is great for a team as well as enjoyment. You got to keep it fresh. We got guys here that are eight weeks into their international career, and then we've got blokes that are ten years into their international career. But you've got to have guys who are enjoying themselves and that feed off each other - no matter how many caps they have earned between them. I think that's what we're getting, the coaching staff are allowing us that balance.

PR: How much has the introduction of ELVs influenced your game?

AW: It's frustrating, but it's become a part of the game. It certainly makes it a little bit more different, more tactics to the whole situation and what not. You don't want a game which gets too similar to Rugby League, but you want to keep the strengths of Rugby Union. We did a lot of kicking against Australia in Auckland and we were pretty stuffed after that. But it's just one of those things. As a forward you have to install that self-discipline, keep your system... just keep doing what you're doing I guess.

PR: Ali, the top brass have decided to cull Tasman from the Air New Zealand Cup next year. You haven't even played for them yet, but how does it feel knowing that you won't have a provincial rugby side to go home to once the Tri-Nations is done and dusted? Was it right what happened?

AW: I don't know how well you know me, mate. But I can say something here and it could end up all over the world, so I'm not going to say much about that.

PR: It can't be anything worse than what you've said before?

AW: Ok, Ok. It's just one of those situations that New Zealand rugby has got to develop. We've got to keep history, but we've also got to develop the game. Sometimes, you make a decision and you have to stick with it. The realms of professional sport nowadays is like a business. If you make a decision, you have to stick by it and see it through. If it works it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't. It's just one of those things.

PR: Now that you're on a roll, what's your opinion of the mass Kiwi exodus overseas that's currently taking place? Has the pride of playing for the Silver Fern lost its appeal?

AW: You've got to look at other things in terms of your life. You can't play rugby forever. Loyalty in terms of staying with your team is becoming unheard of, because they just can't afford to keep you. Back in the day, teams would do anything to keep you. Nowadays, a new kid comes through, and they wanna chuck him in. It's just one of those things that sometimes the better option is to move offshore. You've also got to weigh up the fact that it's an experience, a life experience. A lot of youngsters go overseas to experience life in other countries, that's all we (New Zealand players) are doing really.

PR: So no hard feelings towards those who choose the pound over the New Zealand dollar?

AW: Um, not if he's a team-mate of mine. The Black jersey is a huge pull, and long may that live. But guys have their own lives, and they do what they have to.

PR: We've run out of time Ali, but to sum up, what's your ideal definition of the perfect lock?

AW: Left the toughest question for last did you? Gosh, I don't know. (Long pause) I guess the guy that probably brings a lot of physicality, who stores a lot of knowledge in the line-out, someone that can read the game well. Someone too that can gel well with team members and a good guy off the field I suppose.

PR: Physical, knowledgeable, experienced and a good team player on and off the field. Someone like you then?

AW: Oh no, mate. I'm far from perfect. I've still got a lot to work on, and that's why I keep playing the game. If I was perfect I would have given up, but I love what I do.

Physical, knowledgeable, experienced, a good team player on and off the field... as well as modest. That, in a nutshell, is Planet Rugby's definition of a perfect lock.

By Dave Morris