Tony Williams (rugby league)

Tony Williams
Williams playing for Parramatta in 2008
Personal information
Nickname T-Rex[1]
Born 12 December 1988
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 192 cm (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Weight 118 kg (18 st 8 lb)
Playing information
Position Second-row, Lock, Centre, Wing, Five-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008 Parramatta Eels 11 4 0 0 16
2009–12 Manly-Warringah 73 35 0 0 140
2013– Canterbury-Bankstown 58 9 0 0 36
Total 142 48 0 0 192
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008 Tonga 3 1 10 0 24
2011–12 Australia 5 2 0 0 8
2012–14 New South Wales 3 0 0 0 0
2013 City Origin 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [3]

Tony Williams (born 12 December 1988) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. An Australian, Tongan, New South Wales State of Origin and NSW City Origin representative, Williams primarily plays at second-row but can fill in at five-eighth. Williams previously played for the Parramatta Eels in 2008 and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles between 2009 and 2012, where he won the 2011 NRL premiership.

Background

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Williams is of Tongan descent. Williams attended Liverpool Boys High School and Westfields Sports High School and played his junior rugby league for the Cabramatta Two Blues before being signed up the Parramatta Eels.

Playing career

2008

Williams playing for Parramatta

Williams started the 2008 season playing in the Eels NYC team and signed with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on 27 May 2008, a week before making his NRL debut.[4] In Round 13 against the Canberra Raiders, Williams made his NRL debut for the Parramatta Eels on the wing in the Eels 30-12 win at Parramatta Stadium.[5][6] In Round 15 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Williams scored his first NRL career try in the Eels 16-14 loss at Remondis Stadium.[7] On 3 September 2008, Williams was named at centre in the 2008 NYC Team of the Year.[8] Williams finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 10 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Parramatta Eels in the 2008 NRL season. Williams was named in the Tongan squad for the 2008 World Cup where he not only played lock but also took on the responsibility of being the Tongan goal kicker with success.[9] Williams played in 3 matches, scored 1 try and kicked 10 goals.

2009

In Round 5 of the 2009 NRL season, Williams made his club debut for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles against the Wests Tigers at centre in the Sea Eagles 23-10 win at Brookvale Oval.[10] In Round 11 against the Gold Coast Titans, Williams scored his first club try for the Sea Eagles in the 18-17 loss at Cbus Super Stadium.[11] Williams played some of the year in the Queensland Cup playing for the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles being awarded the Duncan Hall Medal after being judged the grand final's best-and-fairest player, scoring a try in the Sea Eagles 32-18 win over Northern Pride.[12] Williams finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 12 matches and scoring 9 tries in his first year with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

2010

Williams finished the 2010 NRL season with him being the top-scorer for the Sea Eagles with 16 tries in all of their 25 matches. Williams was selected in the New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 2010 Four Nations.[13][14] However, Williams declared his desire to play for both Australia and New South Wales. Williams was selected to play for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea on the wing in the 30-18 win in Port Moresby.[15]

2011

Williams played in the centres for the first two games of the 2001 season and then missed the next 3 through injury. When he returned to the side, Manly coach Des Hasler permanently moved Williams from the wing to the second-row and his form blossomed. Over his next 18 games, Williams started from the interchange bench 12 times and in the second-row row 6 times, including starting in the Sea Eagles 2011 NRL Grand Final 24-10 win over the New Zealand Warriors on 2 October 2011.[16] Williams finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 6 tries for the Sea Eagles. At the end of the 2011 season, Williams shoulder charge on North Queensland Cowboys forward Tariq Sims at Townsville's Dairy Farmers Stadium in Round 8 was featured on the NRL's official website as one of the "Best shoulder charges of 2011".[17] Following Manly's Grand Final win, Williams was named in Australia's 2011 Four Nations squad.[18] Williams made his test debut off the bench for Australia in a test against New Zealand in the Kangaroos 42-6 win at Hunter Stadium.[19] Williams scored his first international for Australia against New Zealand in the Kangaroos 26-12 win at Halliwell Jones Stadium.[20] Williams played in 4 matches and scored 2 tries including playing off the interchange bench in the Four National final against England in the Kangaroos 30-8 win at Elland Road.[21]

2012

In Round 3 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium, Williams was suspended for 7 matches for dangerous tackle on Sharks Hooker Isaac De Gois in the Sea Eagles 17-4 loss.[22] When Williams returned from suspension he was selected in the New South Wales State of Origin squad.[23] Williams made his origin debut in Game 1 off the interchange bench in the 18-10 loss at Etihad Stadium.[24] Williams missed selection with a back injury for Game 2 but selected in Game 3 off the interchange bench in the 21-20 loss at Suncorp Stadium,[25] resulting in Queensland winning the 2011 State of Origin series. On 4 June 2012, Williams confirmed he had signed with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on a $650,000 a year, 4-year deal through to the end of the 2016 season.[26][27] Williams finished the 2012 NRL season with him played in 16 matches and scoring 4 tries in his final year with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Williams was selected for Australia in the October Trans-Tasman test against New Zealand, playing off the interchange bench in the 18-10 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.[28]

2013

In Round 1 of the 2013 NRL season, Williams made his club debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against the North Queensland Cowboys at second-row in the Bulldogs 24-12 loss at Central Coast Stadium.[29] In Round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Williams scored his first club try for the Bulldogs in the 40-4 win at ANZ Stadium.[30] Williams was selected for NSW City at second-row in the 18-12 loss to NSW Country at Coffs Harbour.[31] In Round 20 against the Parramatta Eels, Williams played his 100th NRL career match in the Bulldogs 40-12 win at ANZ Stadium.[32][33] Williams was heavily criticized in 2013 with his form being branded lazy and not being worth $650,000 a year.[34][35][36] Williams finished his first year with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 5 tries in the 2013 NRL season.

2014

In February 2014, Williams was selected in the Bulldogs 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[37] Williams was selected to play for NSW City in the City vs Country Origin at second-row in the 26-all draw at Dubbo.[38] Williams was selected on the interchange bench for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2014 State of Origin series on the 100th State of Origin match in the Blues 12-8 win at Suncorp Stadium.[39] On 5 October 2014, in the Bulldogs 2014 NRL Grand Final match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Williams played at second-row and scored a try in the Bulldogs 6-30 loss.[40][41] Williams finished the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 27 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Bulldogs.

2015

On 23 January 2015, Williams was named in the Bulldogs 2015 Auckland Nines squad.[42]

References

  1. ↑ Prentice, Andrew (14 September 2011). "T-Rex's switch into the Sea Eagles pack has seen the rise of a sleeping giant". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. ↑ Manly Sea Eagles profile Tony Williams Player Profile at MWSE.com.au
  3. ↑ Tony Williams rugbyleagueproject.org
  4. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-snatch-star-eels-junior/story-e6frexq0-1111116458225
  5. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/mateo-sparks-eels-to-important-win/2008/06/07/1212259187813.html
  6. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/meet-the-new-heavyweight/story-e6frfgdx-1111116619585
  7. ↑ http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=584427
  8. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/toyota-cup-team-of-the-year/story-e6frfgbo-1111117373744
  9. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7658506.stm|
  10. ↑ http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=814777
  11. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/late-penalty-hands-gold-coast-18-17-win-over-manly/story-e6frfggf-1225715370997
  12. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/tony-williams-steers-coast-victory-in-queensland-cup/story-e6frep5o-1225772430775
  13. ↑ http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/new-zealand-squad-named-for-four-nations-20100906-14xkg.html
  14. ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4129966/Kangaroos-beat-Kiwis-to-Tony-T-Rex-Williams
  15. ↑ http://m.nrl.com/australian-pmxiii-team-beats-kumuls/tabid/10874/newsid/60421/default.aspx
  16. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/in-2011-nrl-grand-final/story-e6frexnr-1226156196268
  17. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/best-shoulder-charges-of-2011/tabid/10874/newsid/65139/default.aspx NRL's Best shoulder charges of 2011
  18. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/daly-cherry-evans-and-tony-williams-selected-in-australian-four-nations-squad-after-manlys-2011-nrl-grand-final-win/story-e6frexnr-1226157059814
  19. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/kangaroos/kangaroos-beat-new-zealand-42-6-in-rugby-leage-test-at/story-fn2mcuhw-1226167876650
  20. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/johnathan-thurston-stars-as-australia-beat-new-zealand-26-12-in-four-nations-opener-in-warrington/story-fn488j1c-1226180116137
  21. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/darren-lockyer-leads-australia-to-30-8-win-in-four-nations-final/story-e6frep5o-1226200259645
  22. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/tony-williams-faces-10-week-suspension-for-dangerous-throw-on-isaac-de-gois/story-e6frfgbo-1226305092960
  23. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/nsw-rookies-jamie-buhrer-todd-carney-james-tamou-and-tony-williams-lack-experience-and-scars/story-e6frfghx-1226363963142
  24. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/live-coverage-state-of-origin-game-one/story-e6frexv9-1226364788874
  25. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/queensland-take-on-new-south-wales-in-massive-state-of-origin-game-iii-encounter/story-fn31yxah-1226417163132
  26. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs-to-confirm-tony-williams-from-manly-sea-eagles-t-rex-to-sign-four-year-deal/story-fn2mcuj6-1226382253508
  27. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-finally-lure-reluctant-new-buy-tony-williams-away-from-manly-sea-eagles/story-e6frexnr-1226382367804
  28. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/kangaroos/australia-grind-it-out-in-second-half-to-win-18-10-over-new-zealand-in-townsville-test-match/story-fn2mcuhw-1226495026875
  29. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys-v-bulldogs-match-report/story-e6frexnr-1226593907155
  30. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/confident-canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs-thrash-injury-laden-wests-tigers/story-fn2mcuj6-1226634942354
  31. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/country-overcome-city-in-close-clash/story-e6frf3ou-1226625366206
  32. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-v-eels-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/73638/default.aspx
  33. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/plenty-of-points-but-patience-missing-for-bulldogs-says-hasler-20130726-2qqge.html
  34. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tony-williams-axed-from-australian-test-rugby-league-side/story-e6frexnr-1226620200715
  35. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/willie-mason-and-the-newcastle-knights-are-wary-of-threat-posed-by-canterbury-bulldogs-big-man-tony-williams/story-fni3gf5j-1226644788104
  36. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/the-daily-telegraphs-names-its-five-biggest-flops-of-nrl-season-2013/story-fndujljl-1226727833205
  37. ↑ http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/
  38. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/hulking-centre-jamal-idris-stars-in-thrilling-citycountry-draw-in-dubbo/story-fni3fbgz-1226904860045
  39. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin-new-south-wales-blues-beat-queensland-maroons-128-in-game-one/story-fni3fr51-1226935090147
  40. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/south-sydney-rabbitohs-win-2014-nrl-grand-final-defeating-canterbury-bulldogs-306/story-fni3fbgz-1227080755667
  41. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-grand-final-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/82377/default.aspx
  42. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/auckland-nines-2015-josh-morris-headlines-strong-squad-named-by-canterbury-bulldogs/story-e6frf3pu-1227194200511

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