I need you (to play for us). You complete me (backline). I can give you what Steve can’t (loadsa money). With those few words, silver fox Tana Umaga, coach of first division rugby club Toulon, completely stole the heart of league star Sonny Bill Williams.

"I first noticed him on TV back in 1996. I was just a kid, and he seemed so strong and powerful. I knew then that our fates were forever intertwined" said a blushing SBW from his new home in the south of France. "I mean his flowing (dread)locks initially caught my eye, but it was his mana that claimed my heart and soul."

But all joking aside, this is an interesting issue. SBW has just taken up a 2 year contract with the newly crowned second division champions and hopes to carry Toulon to the top of the first division, and build a strong relationship with his coach, former All Black Tana Umaga.

I believe SBW is still unproven as a rugby league player and really is a complete unknown as a union player. There is no doubting his physical attributes, he is an outstanding athlete and physical specimen (clearly what appealed to Tana Umaga, looking for a healthy young stud to add to his stable :p).

But I am yet to be convinced that he is the absolute megastar that all of this press has warranted. He won the NRL title with the bulldogs in only his second season and played a prominent part, but a megastar? He has been injured more often than he has played over the last few years, and has been relatively muted in any internationals he did play for the Kiwis (incidentally it appears his Kiwis representative career is well and truly over. It doesn’t look like he’ll ever be allowed back into Australia, as he is now pretty much considered a criminal. Which is also kind of ironic.).

Which brings me to the question of SBW ever representing NZ in rugby. He’s got a lot of work to do. This isn’t Australia where league converts appear to be fast tracked into the  Wallabra (Ryan Cross (pass), Lote Tuquiri (A+), Timana Tahu (undecided), Matt Rogers (Fail), Wendell Sailor (epic Fail)).

Firstly, until (if ever) they change the rules, he is going to need to play in NZ and in Super Rugby, which could be a little difficult if the criminal element don’t let him in to play their rugby teams.

Secondly, he’s got plenty of stiff competition from the likes of Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui and Tim Bateman.

And thirdly, his behaviour, however some might say was justified by the actions of the bulldogs, his agents etc, suggests he still has some maturing to do.

From the odd highlight real I have seen of SBW I have been impressed. He is an impressive athlete and when fit and healthy, will make any team better. For me, the jury is still out on his megastardom status, but under the guidance of Umaga, he is at least headed in the right direction.