Sonny Bill Williams

Auckland teenager made his first grade debut with the Bulldogs with a mountain of expectation on his young shoulders. Williams was regarded as one of the best junior prospects ever to come out of NZ – a wrap that Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes did his best to hose done before the start of the season. Although used sparingly from the interchange bench as a centre or back rower early in the year, he made his Test debut in the ANZac Test after 5 first grade appearances. Williams quickly grew in confidence and his impact value was an integral factor in the Bulldogs’ unstoppable grand final momentum. He ultimately won a premiership (again from the interchange bench) in his debut season but the long season started to take its toll when he was used as a starting forward for the Kiwis in the 16-all draw against Australia in October and in NZ’s unsuccessful Tri Nations campaign. Injuries limited him to just 5 matches in 2005 (and no Tests) and although he returned to the NZ Test team for the 50-12 loss to Australia in May 2006, injury again ruled him out of Tri-Nations selection at the end of the year.