All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has been presented with another winners medal by World Rugby after giving his award to a young fan after yesterday's Rugby World Cup final.
Sonny Bill Williams giving his medal to a young Charlie Lines. Photo: PHOTOSPORT / ©INPHO / Dan Sheridan
Williams gave his medal to the boy after he ran onto the field after the game and was tackled by a security guard.
Williams said it was better that the medal was around his neck rather than on his wall at home.
He was presented with a replacement at the World Rugby Awards, being held in London.
.@SonnyBWilliams receiving his new @rugbyworldcup winners' medal to a standing ovation at the #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/poQuZyvUn2
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 1, 2015
Williams greeted the unexpected award with good humour, saying Liam Messam, who put his beanie on the young fan's head, just wanted his hat back.
One gesture of generosity deserves another - @SonnyBWilliams receives his #RWC2015 winners' medal #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/dAzJT5IOih
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 1, 2015
The eager fan had tried to race onto the field to talk to his heroes after yesterday's World Cup final victory over Australia but was pushed to the ground by stewards, before being helped to his feet by Williams and fellow players.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Williams' move is still being applauded on social media today, with little slowdown in the number of tweets lauding the gesture.
SBW rules but probably gonna need some child specific security now that every kid thinks that storming the field will bring huge reward.
— Hollie Smith (@Holliejsmith) November 1, 2015
Such awesome sportsmanship from SBW :) what a legend https://t.co/UtqxXyNtNV
— SKYCITY Breakers NZ (@NZBreakers) November 1, 2015
Like I understand SBW was just being a nice guy, but that kid shouldn't have been rewarded for breaking the rules...
— Leigh (@Prattle_x) November 1, 2015
What a fine young man SBW is. Humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Altruistic and caring, with a heart of gold.
— Rino Tirikatene (@RinoTirikatene) November 1, 2015
SBW gets another RWC winners medal after giving his to a young boy last night. pic.twitter.com/KWRAtUrPza
— Alex Thomas (@alexthomascnn) November 1, 2015
Sonny Bill Williams - what a man. The All Black made this fan's life... https://t.co/lPQs3BRLSb pic.twitter.com/YT8vzYs2OF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 1, 2015
Williams himself has been a bit more relaxed today:
Chill day attire 4 'Mr Ellis' #AllBlackEverything pic.twitter.com/UrX0xoajjC
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) November 1, 2015
Williams came on at half-time for Conrad Smith, delivering a trademark offload to Nonu, and the midfielder tore through some soft defending and sprinted 30 metres to mark his 103rd and last New Zealand appearance with a killer try.
