Tim Nanai-Williams

{{short description|New Zealand-born Samoan rugby union player (born 1989)}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Tim Nanai Williams

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Tim Nanai Williams

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|06|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand

| height = {{height|m=1.81}}

| weight = {{cvt|87|kg|lb stlb}}

| occupation =

| school = Manurewa High School

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Wing, Fly-Half, Full-back, Centre

| currentclub = AS Béziers Hérault

| years1 = 2008–2017

| clubs1 = Counties Manukau

| apps1 = 62

| points1 = 295

| years2 = 2010–2018

| clubs2 = Chiefs

| apps2 = 84

| points2 = 141

| years3 = 2016–2017

| clubs3 = Ricoh Black Rams

| apps3 = 11

| points3 = 27

| years4 = 2018–2021

| clubs4 = Clermont

| apps4 = 47

| points4 = 47

| years5 = 2021-2024

| clubs5 = Toulouse

| apps5 = 11

| points5 = 15

| repyears1 = 2015–

| repteam1 = Samoa

| repcaps1 = 16

| reppoints1 = 37

| repyears2 = 2014–2017

| repteam2 = Barbarians

| repcaps2 = 3

| reppoints2 = 0

| clubupdate = 21 April 2022[http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/tim-nanaiwilliams-14407.html]

| repupdate = 1 April 2021[http://www.barbarianfc.co.uk/archive/profile/4890/tim-nanai-williams/]

| repsevensyears1 = 2008–2009

| repsevensyears2 = 2014–2015

| repsevensteam1 = New Zealand

| repsevensteam2 = Samoa

| repsevenscomp2 =

}}

Tim Nanai-Williams (born 12 June 1989) is a New Zealand-born Samoan rugby union player. He currently plays for AS Béziers Hérault in the Pro D2. He has also represented New Zealand and Samoa in sevens rugby.

Early life and education

Nanai-Williams was born in Auckland, New Zealand, to Tavaefaga Nanai and Aolele Williams. Both his parents are Samoan-born and brought their family to New Zealand in the 1980s.{{Cite web|date=2014-11-21|title=Chief Tim Nanai-Williams to play for Samoa|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/63422171/chief-tim-nanai-williams-to-play-for-samoa|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Stuff|language=en}} He was raised in a Samoan household, and speaks Samoan fluently.{{Cite news|last=Meagher|first=Gerard|date=2017-11-23|title=Easing eligibility rules would boost Samoa, says Tim Nanai-Williams|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/23/easing-eligibility-would-give-samoa-boost-tim-nanai-williams|access-date=2020-07-18|issn=0261-3077}}

He grew up in Manurewa, a suburb in South Auckland, and has said the place was "pretty rough".{{Cite web|title=Manurewa Chiefs: Tim Nanai Williams and Bundee Aki|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fVnoes4rPQ|website=YouTube| date=5 March 2014 }}{{Cite web|title=Meeting the Chiefs: Tim Nanai-Williams|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UENYNSN85zI|website=YouTube| date=23 April 2012 }} He attended Manurewa High School and got involved in every sport available, but started playing in the First XV when he was 14 years old.

Domestic career

After school, Nanai Williams started playing for Counties Manukau and re-signed with for the 2010 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.allblacks.com/news/12733/Nanai-Williams-re-signs-with-Counties-Manukau|title=Nanai-Williams re-signs with Counties-Manukau|website=All Blacks|access-date=14 October 2017}} In the same year, Nanai-Williams signed for the Chiefs and made his Super Rugby debut for the Hamilton-based franchise, against the Sharks.{{Cite web|date=2017-12-03|title=Chiefs' back Tim Nanai-Williams signs three-year contract with Clermont Auvergne|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/99498325/chiefs-back-tim-nanaiwilliams-signs-threeyear-contract-with-clermont-auvergne|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Stuff|language=en}} He stayed in the franchise until 2015, and was a key fixture in the Chiefs' Super Rugby triumphs of 2012 and 2013, proving himself an invaluable utility option as he covered wing, outside centre and full-back.{{Cite web|date=2015-09-26|title=Nanai-Williams does not harbour All Blacks regrets|url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/13747093/samoa-rugby-world-cup-star-tim-nanai-williams-no-regrets-forgoing-all-blacks-ambitions|access-date=2020-07-18|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}

After the 2015 Super Rugby season, he signed for the japanese Top League side Ricoh Black Rams.{{Cite web|title=RICOH BLACK RAMS|url=http://en.rugby-japan.jp/schedule/team/8035/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Japan Rugby Football Union|language=en}} In October 2016, it was announced that he would re-sign for the Chiefs in time for the 2017 Super Rugby Season{{Cite web|date=2016-10-15|title=Tim Nanai-Williams re-signs with Chiefs after spell in Japan|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/85378694/tim-nanaiwilliams-resigns-with-chiefs-after-spell-in-japan|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Stuff|language=en}} and with Counties Manukau.{{Cite web|date=2017-05-18|title=Sport: Nanai-Williams and Kerr are back with the Counties Manukau Steelers|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/92608486/sport-nanaiwilliams-and-kerr-are-back-with-the-counties-manukau-steelers|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Stuff|language=en}}

In December 2017, after 85 Super Rugby appearances,{{Cite web|title=Remembering the Chiefs class of 2012|url=https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/remembering-the-chiefs-class-of-2012/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=superrugby.co.nz|language=en-GB}} he signed a three-year contract with French powerhouse Clermont Auvergne, then reigning Top 14 champions, until the end of 2021.

On 11 March 2021, Williams signs for Top 14 rivals Toulouse ahead of the 2021-22 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/clermont-sign-versatile-samoan-wing/|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Tim Nanai-Williams signs for Top14 giants|date=11 March 2021|accessdate=17 December 2021}}

International career

Nanai-Williams grew up dreaming of playing for the All Blacks and represented New Zealand at secondary schools and sevens level between 2008 and 2009. Given the depth and quality of players in the country, he always had the chance of representing Samoa in the back of his mind. {{Cite web|date=2014-08-11|title=Nanai-Williams still dreams of wearing black|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/10372271/Nanai-Williams-still-dreams-of-wearing-black|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Stuff|language=en}}

After being overlooked for the All Blacks for a number of years, he decided to change his international allegiance to Samoa. In doing so, he became the first player to exploit a loophole whereby playing in four tournaments on the global sevens circuit made himself eligible for the Manu Samoa fifteen-a-side team.{{Cite web|date=2018-07-31|title=Sport: Manu Samoa keen to qualify more through 7s loophole|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/363036/sport-manu-samoa-keen-to-qualify-more-through-7s-loophole|access-date=2020-07-18|website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}

Nanai-Williams admitted that the chance of playing at a Rugby World Cup or at the Olympics was a big reason for his change of allegiance, and that his best shot was in a Samoan jersey.{{Cite news|last=Stoney|first=Emma|date=2015-03-26|title=Olympic Loophole Gives Rugby Players a Chance to Swap Nations|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/27/sports/rugby/olympic-loophole-gives-rugby-players-a-chance-to-swap-nations.html|access-date=2020-07-18|issn=0362-4331}}

Nanai-Williams made his test debut for Samoa in the historic game against the All Blacks in Apia, their first ever visit to play a Test match in Samoa.{{Cite web|date=2015-07-08|title=All Blacks v Samoa: the historic game that stopped a nation {{!}} Rajiv Maharaj|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jul/08/all-blacks-samoa-the-game-that-stopped-a-nation|access-date=2020-07-18|website=The Guardian|language=en}} He represented Samoa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup held in England{{Cite news|title=Samoa first to name World Cup squad|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/33890772|access-date=2020-07-18}} and at the 2019 Rugby World Cup played in Japan.{{Cite web|last=rugbybworldcup.com|title=Two uncapped players in Samoa squad for Japan - Rugby World Cup 2019 ｜ rugbyworldcup.com|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/446870|access-date=2020-07-18|website=www.rugbyworldcup.com|language=en}} As of July 2020, he has 16 international caps.{{Cite web|title=Tim Nanai-Williams {{!}} Rugby Union {{!}} Players and Officials|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/player/110378.html|access-date=2020-07-18|website=ESPN scrum}}

Style of play

Nanai-Williams is renowned for his complete skillset in attack, combining speed, footwork, acceleration, vision and creativity to find spaces and exploit gaps in defences.{{Cite web|last=Kinsella|first=Murray|title='We've got nothing to lose' - Samoa promise expansive approach against Ireland|url=https://www.the42.ie/samoa-team-ireland-world-cup-4845188-Oct2019/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=The42|date=10 October 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Tim Nanai-Williams HIGHLIGHTS HD|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVEhapTC9AI|website=YouTube| date=29 December 2016 }}{{Cite web|title=Tim Nanai-Williams Tribute // Young Talent|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyAQJTcgxkI|website=YouTube| date=8 July 2013 }} He can also cover several positions in the backline, namely, fullback, wing and centre.

Personal life

Nanai-Williams is the cousin of dual code rugby international Sonny Bill Williams and Black Ferns star Niall Williams[http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/120406/Williams_cousins_lead_Chiefs_to_victory Chiefs grind out victory over Force in Perth], Supersport.com, dated 6 April 2012.{{Cite web|title=Samoa vs NZ, cousin vs cousin, who won?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQIz7ygxz1s|website=YouTube| date=17 July 2015 }} and the younger brother of former Cardiff Blues and Blues player Nick Williams.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-19|title=Former Blues No 8 Nick Williams reduced to tears by motherly Christmas surprise|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/118359819/former-blues-no-8-nick-williams-reduced-to-tears-by-motherly-christmas-surprise|access-date=2020-07-18|website=Stuff|language=en}}

Growing up in Manurewa, Nanai-Williams was mates with future Ireland international Bundee Aki, and Chiefs teammate Lelia Masaga.

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724182221/http://www.chiefs.co.nz/The-Team/Player-Profiles-/Tim-Nanai-Williams/ Chiefs Profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724194343/http://www.steelers.co.nz/steelers/index.php?contentid=65&profileid=44 Counties Manukau Profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707112825/http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=nzTeamPlayerProfile&playerID=1889 All Blacks Profile]
{{World Rugby Sevens Series player}}
{{ESPNscrum}}
{{ItsRugby}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:New Zealand rugby union players

Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent

Category:Chiefs (Super Rugby) players

Category:Counties Manukau rugby union players

Category:Rugby union fullbacks

Category:Rugby union wings

Category:Rugby union players from Auckland