Sonny bill gives his medal to pitch invader

[Wigan_forever1985]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/o ... ar-old-fan

Not sure how I feel about this on the one hand it's incredibly generous of sonny bill but the kid should not of ran on the pitch it's dangerous and against the rules and ultimately he has been rewarded for his actions

[Panchitta Marra]

Did Sonny Bill give the lad his medal, or did he just let him wear it for a period of time for photos etc, then take it back?

[cpwigan]

Not sure how I feel about this gesture :doz: Seems to suggest he thinks the medal is worthless.

[cook123]

I think the reason he has given the boy his medal is because he got absolutely smoked by a steward as he ran onto the pitch, I get that he shouldn't have gone onto the pitch but there was no need for the steward to take the action he did.

Not sure it suggests the medal is worthless, it isn't worthless to the boy and guessing sonny gets more pleasure knowing he has made his day than he owning the medal.

[cpwigan]

I think the reason he has given the boy his medal is because he got absolutely smoked by a steward as he ran onto the pitch, I get that he shouldn't have gone onto the pitch but there was no need for the steward to take the action he did.

Not sure it suggests the medal is worthless, it isn't worthless to the boy and guessing sonny gets more pleasure knowing he has made his day than he owning the medal.

One young rugby fan left Twickenham with the ultimate souvenir after Sonny Bill Williams handed him his winner's medal.

But the youngster was lucky to make it to his hero after being "smoked" by a security guard, as he was tackled to the turf.

Charlie Lines raced on to the pitch to celebrate with his All Black heroes as they completed their lap of honour following New Zealand's 34-17 win over Australia, when he was tackled to the ground by a member of security.

But double World Cup winner Williams picked the youngster up off the floor, and allowed him to join in the celebrations with the players before draping the medal over his neck.

"He got smoked by the security guard, like full-on tackled," said rugby league convert Williams, a former New Zealand national heavyweight boxing champion. "It was pretty sad. He's just a young fella obviously caught up in the moment.

"If that was a younger brother or cousin, I would have given the security guard a hiding. But I just picked the kid up and took him back to his old lady and tried to make the night more memorable for him."
Sonny Bill Williams

Williams tweeted about the incident after the final

Williams came on as a second-half replacement and his offload set up Ma'a Nonu to score the second of three New Zealand tries.

The 30-year-old was lauded for his sportsmanship when he consoled opponent Jesse Kriel in the wake of the All Blacks' semi-final win over South Africa.

Explaining his decision to give away his medal, he added: "I know he'll appreciate it and when he gets older he'll be telling his kids - that's more special than it just hanging on a wall.

"Better for it to be hanging around his neck than mine. I'm sure he'll remember it for a while. His mum was pretty happy. He had an All Blacks jersey on so he might be a future All Black."

[thegimble]

Did Sonny Bill give the lad his medal, or did he just let him wear it for a period of time for photos etc, then take it back?

No he has given it to him for life.

That is a touch of class. Amazes me he does the right thing and some question it. Medals mean little now if he wants reminding of winning it SBW could watch it again.

[Wigan_forever1985]

Did Sonny Bill give the lad his medal, or did he just let him wear it for a period of time for photos etc, then take it back?

No he has given it to him for life.

That is a touch of class. Amazes me he does the right thing and some question it. Medals mean little now if he wants reminding of winning it SBW could watch it again.

But essentially the kid was in the wrong by running on the pitch yes it was over exuberant from the security guard but at the end of the day he was breaking the rules and has been rewarded for breaking the rules that's my only observation

[Kittwazzer]

A 14 year old kid let his excitement get the better of him and was set upon by a cowardly thug.

Outcome was correct IMO.

[cpwigan]

A kid running onto the pitch after his country / team win the world cup is no big issue for me. SBW's gesture whilst amazing does reflect what Gimble said re medals seemingly to have no value to SBW which IMO is sad. Can you imagine the 66 England team giving away their medals post match?

[Panchitta Marra]

I'd be disappointed if it was a League medal he gave away, but an onion one doesnt matter a jot to me.
Maybe SBW feels the same way. LOL.