Tony Williams (rugby league)

Tony Williams (born 12 December 1988), also known by the nickname of "T-Rex",[2] is a professional rugby league footballer who last played as a second-row forward for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL. He has played for both Tonga and Australia at international level.

Tony Williams
Personal information
Born (1988-12-12) 12 December 1988
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight118 kg (18 st 8 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Wing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008 Parramatta Eels 11 4 0 0 16
2009–12 Manly Sea Eagles 73 35 0 0 140
2013–16 Canterbury Bulldogs 80 10 0 0 40
2017 Cronulla Sharks 1 1 0 0 4
2018 Parramatta Eels 5 0 0 0 0
Total 170 50 0 0 200
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008–17 Tonga 5 1 10 0 24
2011–12 Australia 3 7 0 0 8
2012–14 New South Wales 3 0 0 0 0
2013–14 NSW City 2 0 0 0 0
As of 6 May 2017
Source: [1]

Williams previously played for the Parramatta Eels, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, where he won the 2011 NRL Grand Final, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League. He has also played for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the Canterbury Cup NSW. He played on the wing and as a centre earlier in his career. Williams played for NSW City Origin and New South Wales in the State of Origin series.

Background

Williams was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is of Tongan descent. He grew up in Liverpool for the majority of his life in his family home and attended Liverpool Boys High School and Westfields Sports High School.

He played his junior rugby league for the Cabramatta Two Blues. He was then signed by the Parramatta Eels.

Playing career
Williams playing for Parramatta in 2008

2008

Williams started the 2008 season playing in the Parramatta Eels NYC team and signed with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on 27 May 2008, a week before making his NRL debut.[3] In Round 13 of the 2008 NRL season, Williams made his NRL debut for the Parramatta Eels against the Canberra Raiders, playing on the wing in the Eels 30–12 win at Parramatta Stadium.[4][5] In Round 15 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Williams scored his first NRL career try in the Eels 16–14 loss at Remondis Stadium.[6] On 3 September 2008, Williams was named at centre in the 2008 NYC Team of the Year.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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 national rugby league team squad for the 2010 Four Nations.[12][13] 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.[14]

2011

Williams played in the centres for the first two games of the 2011 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.[15] 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".[16] Following Manly's Grand Final win, Williams was named in Australia's 2011 Four Nations squad.[17] 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.[18] Williams scored his first international for Australia against New Zealand in the Kangaroos 26–12 win at Halliwell Jones Stadium.[19] 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.[20]

2012

In Round 3 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium, Williams was suspended for 7 matches for dangerous tackle on the Sharks hooker, Isaac De Gois, in the Sea Eagles 17–4 loss.[21] When Williams returned from suspension he was selected in the New South Wales State of Origin squad.[22] Williams made his origin debut in Game 1 off the interchange bench in the 18–10 loss at Etihad Stadium.[23] 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,[24] 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.[25][26] 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.[27]

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.[28] In Round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Williams scored his first club try for the Bulldogs in the 40–4 win at ANZ Stadium.[29] Williams was selected for NSW City at second-row in the 18–12 loss to NSW Country at Coffs Harbour.[30] In Round 20 against the Parramatta Eels, Williams played his 100th NRL career match in the Bulldogs 40–12 win at ANZ Stadium.[31][32] Williams was heavily criticized in 2013 with his form being branded lazy and not being worth $650,000 a year.[33][34][35] 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.[36] Williams was selected to play for NSW City in the City vs Country Origin at second-row in the 26-all draw at Dubbo.[37] 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.[38] On 5 October 2014, in the Bulldogs 2014 NRL Grand Final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Williams played at second-row and scored a try in the Bulldogs 6–30 loss.[39][40] 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.[41] After the Bulldogs 41–34 win against the Canberra Raiders in Round 11, Williams suffered a season ending pectoral muscle injury at training, ruling him out for the rest of the season.[42] Williams finished the 2015 NRL season with him playing in 11 matches for the Bulldogs.

2016

On 1 February 2016, Williams was named in the Bulldogs 2016 Auckland Nines squad.[43] In Round 5 against the Canberra Raiders, Williams played his 150th NRL career match in the Bulldogs 22–8 loss at Belmore Sports Ground.[44] On 7 May 2016, Williams played his first game for Tonga in 8 years. Williams' Mate Ma'a Tonga team took on Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup, where he played in the second row in the 18–6 loss at Parramatta Stadium.[45] In Round 10, he was dropped to the Bulldogs' Intrust Super Premiership NSW team.[46] Williams finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing 19 matches and scored 1 try for the Bulldogs. On 7 November 2016, Williams signed a 1-year deal with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks for the 2017 season.[47]

2017

Williams started the 2017 season playing for the Newtown Jets in the Sharks Intrust Super Premiership NSW Cup team before earning his club debut in Round 9 against the Wests Tigers, starting at second-row and scoring a try in the 22–16 win at Leichhardt Oval. On 7 May 2017, Williams played for Tonga against Fiji in the 2017 Pacific Test, starting at second-row but unfortunately suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury during the 26–24 thrilling win at Campbelltown Stadium.[48][49] Williams finished the 2017 NRL season with him only playing in 1 match and scoring 1 try for Sharks. On 17 November 2017, Williams signed a 1-year deal with his former club the Parramatta Eels for the 2018 season.[50]

2018

On 14 February 2018, Williams was fined $1,000, had his driver's licence suspended for 12 months, and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond after appearing in Parramatta local court for mid-range drink driving. Williams had insisted on driving home when his wife came to pick him up after a birthday celebration at the Albion Hotel in Parramatta on 16 December 2016. His three young children were in the car at the time. His driving was so erratic that members of the public called the police, who discovered Williams had a blood alcohol level of 0.122. "Shame on you, Mr Williams," Magistrate Jennifer Giles said at sentencing. She said the "community does not feel safe with you with a licence; you are exceptionally lucky you did not hurt or kill someone, or yourself."[51] Williams also has handed a 2-week suspension by the club.[52] On 29 April 2018, Williams ruptured his ACL in Parramatta's 24–22 victory over The Wests Tigers, subsequent scans revealed that he would miss the remainder of the season.[53]

On 15 September, it was alleged that Williams had tested positive to cocaine during a random drugs test conducted by the Parramatta club.[54] On 25 September, Williams contract with Parramatta was terminated after the player had been found guilty of failing a second drugs test. Williams was also handed a fine and a 12 match suspension by the NRL.[55]

2019

On 2 March, Williams signed a one-year deal to join the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.[56] On 10 September, Williams was set to make a shock return to the Manly side for the club's elimination final against his former club Cronulla-Sutherland but the return did not eventuate.[57]

2020

In September 2020, Williams was released by the Manly club without having played a game.[58]

References
  1. "Tony Williams – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  2. 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.
  3. "Manly Snatch Eels Junior". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  4. "Mateo sparks Eels to important win". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  5. "Meet the New Heavyweight". Herald Sun. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  6. Archived 14 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Toyota Cup Team of the Year". Herald Sun. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20081013130431/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7658506.stm. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20090522014507/http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=814777. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. "Late Penalty Hands Gold Coast 18–17 Win Over Manly". Herald Sun. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  11. "Tony Willikams Steers Coast Victory in Queensland". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  12. "New Zealand squad named for Four Nations". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  13. "Kangaroos beat Kiwis to Tony 'T-Rex' Williams". Stuff.co.nz. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  14. "Australian PMXIII team Beats Kumuls". M.nrl.com. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  15. "2011 NRL Grand Final". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  16. "Best shoulder charges of 2011". NRL.com. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  17. "Cherry Evans and Tony Williams Selected in Australian Four Nations Squad After Manly's 2011 NRL Grand Final Win". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  18. "Kangaroos Beat New Zealand 42–6 in RL Test". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  19. "Johnathan Thurston Stars as Australia Beat New Zealand 26–12 in Four Nations Openerin Warrington". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  20. "Darren Lockyer Leads Australia to 30–8 Win in Four Nations Final". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  21. "Tony Williams Faces 10 Week Suspension for Dangerous Throw on Isaac De Gois". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  22. "NSW Rookies Jamie Buhrer Todd Carney James Tamou and Tony Williams Lack Experience and Scars". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  23. "State of Origin Game". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  24. "Queensland Take on NSW in Massive State of Origin Game". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  25. "Bulldogs to Confirm Tony Williams from Sea Eagles". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  26. "Bulldogs Finally Lure Reluctant New Buy Tony Williams Away From Manly Sea Eagles". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  27. "Australia Grind It Out in Second Half to Win 18–10 over New Zealand in Townsville Test match". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  28. "Cowboys v Bulldogs Match". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  29. "Confident Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Thrash Injury Laden Wests Tigers". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  30. "Country Overcome City in Close Clash". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  31. "Bulldogs v Eels preview". NRL.com. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  32. Carayannis, Michael. "Plenty of points but patience missing for Bulldogs, says Hasler". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  33. "Tony Williams Axed from Australian Test Side". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  34. "Willie Mason and the Newcastle Knights are Wary of Threat Posed by Canterbury Bulldogs Big Man Tony Williams". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  35. Ritchie, Dean (27 September 2013). "The Daily Telegraph names its five biggest flops of NRL season 2013". News.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  36. "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  37. "Hulking Centre Jamal Idris Stars in Thrilling City Country Draw in Dubbo". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  38. "NSW Beat Queensland Maroons 12–8". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  39. "Rabbitohs Win 2014 NRL Grand Final Defeating Canterbury Bulldogs 30–6". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  40. "Bulldogs Grand Final Player Ratings". NRL.com. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  41. "Auckland Nines 2015 ; Josh Morris Headlines Strong Squad Named by Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  42. "Tony Williams ruled out for the season with pec injury". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  43. "Bulldogs name 2016 Nines squad". Rugby League Week. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  44. "John Reynolds touched Aidan Sezer's backside in Bulldogs vs Raider NRL match 2016". News.com.au. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  45. "Samoa holds on in pulsating Pacific Test". nrl.com. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  46. Proszenko, Adrian. "Tony Williams dropped by Canterbury Bulldogs before Wests Tigers clash". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  47. "Sharks sign Williams, Latimore". 7 November 2016.
  48. "Dailytelegraph.com.au – Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph for exclusive stories". The Daily Telegraph. Australia.
  49. "Tony Williams out for the season". 9 May 2017.
  50. "Dailytelegraph.com.au – Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph for exclusive stories". The Daily Telegraph. Australia.
  51. "Judge scolds NRL star: 'Shame on you'".
  52. "Parramatta Eels forward Tony Williams banned for two NRL games". 14 February 2018.
  53. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2018-josh-dugan-suffers-broken-foot-tony-williams-acl-injury-confirmed/news-story/86c2d4ab652dec9231895d7a3564d592
  54. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/williams-career-in-jeopardy-over-second-strike-drugs-test-20180915-p503z9.html
  55. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-25/parramatta-eels-sack-tony-williams/10303058
  56. "T-Rex could reunite with Hasler at Manly after signing feeder club deal". Sydney Morning Herald.
  57. "Tony Williams set to make shock return for Manly in elimination final, report". Sporting News.
  58. "Bunnies lock in two rising stars; Manly farewell three players". www.foxsports.com.au.
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