Exclusive: Sonny Bill Williams set to boycott the Kangaroos-Kiwis Test match
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/exc...-1226892630830
SUPERSTAR forward Sonny Bill Williams is to boycott the Kangaroos-Kiwis Test match on Friday week in a major blow to ticket sales.

The Sydney Roosters second-rower is still furious at being implicated in a sleeping pill and energy drink scandal on last year’s World Cup tour in England.

The Kiwi champion will be out of the country on a short overseas holiday from this Saturday, a day before the Kiwi team is named and players go into camp.

It was reported in New Zealand after the tour that SBW and his room-mate, Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran, had been identified in an internal investigation.

They were later cleared of any wrong doing following the probe by the NZRL.

The fact their names were splashed across the front pages of sports section in New Zealand and Australia infuriated the pair.
Unnamed players had appeared “dozy and half asleep” but both SBW and Foran have strongly denied any knowledge of the substance use.

SBW prides himself on his natural fitness and incredible physique.

His withdrawal is a huge blow for the NRL’s Test promotion which has already seen tickets heavily discounted because of sluggish sales.

Manly and New Zealand five eighth Keiran Foran is expected to be sidelined for a month with a knee injury he acquired during the Sea Eagles controversial win over the Cowboys on Friday night.


Foran too is in doubt for the game with a right knee injury suffered last weekend against the Cowboys.

Previously the NRL has insisted players apply for an exemption to be ruled out of representative football as is the case with Jamie Lyon at Manly.

As there is no club football on the weekend of the Test, SBW will be free to play again the following weekend.

The New Zealand rugby league chief executive Phil Holden refused to comment on SBW’s withdrawal on Tuesday.

Coach Stephen Kearney will hold a telephone hook-up with the media on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the selection issues.

They have yet to be officially informed SBW will not be available.

It was to be his final Test match in the Kiwi jersey before switching to rugby union.

Parramatta’s boom forward Manu Ma’u is in strong contention to replace SBW.

If Foran is ruled out with his knee injury, there has been speculation that Benji Marshall could be recalled to play five-eighth outside Shaun Johnson.

But Kiwi sources say it is highly unlikely to happen.

The Australian side will also be named on Sunday night along with the City and Country teams that play in Dubbo on the weekend of the Test match.