Super Rugby side Blues player and New Zealand int'l Sonny Bill Williams lodged a "conscientious objection about wearing a bank sponsor's logo on his Blues jersey," according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. However, he is "in the clear" -- with the All Blacks at least -- over last night's protest and "will not face any misconduct charge." Williams taped over a bank logo on his Blues jersey but New Zealand Rugby has "no major concerns." What is being "seen as a religious stand" will not "get in the way of him reclaiming the All Black jersey" he last wore in the 2015 World Cup final. A New Zealand Rugby spokesperson said that Williams "lodged a conscientious objection." Any player "could lodge such an objection to promoting finance, alcohol, tobacco, gambling companies and banks." NZR was "unaware" that Willams would put a plaster over the BNZ sign on his collar for his debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night. Blues assistant coach Steve Jackson said that he was "surprised by the act and his team would be addressing it with Williams' management this week." Jackson: "The sponsors pay our wages and you look to do everything you can to make them happy, so I'm not really sure what occurred or what's really happened" (NZ HERALD, 4/9). STUFF reported Williams "did not explain his action." He tweeted that he "would explain his actions this week."
A BNZ spokesperson said, "He's entitled to have religious beliefs and customs around that and it's really between him and the Blues as to how that manifests itself. So we have no issue with it" (
STUFF, 4/9).
NOT THE FIRST: In Auckland, Patrick McKendry reported Williams is "not the only top rugby player in New Zealand to exercise his right to not promote certain sponsors." It is understood that others have "had issues" with fast-food company KFC and alerted NZR that they "would rather not appear in advertisements." Even those who do have "negotiated strict rules with the help of their players' association." Some have felt that professional athletes backing a fast food company "would send the wrong message when obesity, particularly among children, is becoming such an issue in New Zealand." Those that appear in the TV ads are "never seen eating the product." One of the "most famous conscientious objectors of all" in New Zealand rugby was former Blues and All Blacks player Michael Jones, who "refused to play on Sundays due to his religious beliefs" (NZ HERALD, 4/9).
