Written by Queensland Rugby Media Unit, courtesy of qld.rugby Source article
The Tim Nanai-Williams show is one-and-done for University of Queensland for 2024 yet there is upbeat news about a longer relationship next season.
The grapevine in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup was abuzz and rugby’s social media lit up when the 35-year-old made a surprise appearance against Sunnybank last Saturday.
Nanai-Williams is well known for his sparkling footwork, speed and silky attacking traits. They are skills that have won him a big following over the past 14 years when he has been playing for the Chiefs, at two World Cups with Samoa or, most recently, plying his trade in France.
With his days at the French club Beziers coming to a close, Nanai-Williams recently landed in Brisbane where his family has settled.
Why UQ? He may be related to Sonny Bill Williams but he’s also the cousin of UQ stalwart Herman Hunt, the former Reds prop.
One thing led to another and Nanai-Williams began quietly training with the premiership contenders at St Lucia in recent weeks.
A few low-key minutes from the bench in jersey No.23 was the plan against Sunnybank in Round 17 at St Lucia.
When regular No.10 Brad Twidale tweaked a quadriceps muscle in warm-ups, the jump to starter in No.10 was the sudden upgrade for Nanai-Williams.
He dashed over for his first try for UQ in the same 50-33 win.
“Tim is a complete professional and we hope this is start of a longer association with the club,” UQ head coach Elton Berrange said with a hint to 2025.
“The only person who doesn’t understand how big a deal he is, is Tim himself. He’s attending a wedding this weekend so there’s not a chance for another game this season with the qualification rules as they are for the semi-finals.
“I know he sold a few more beers and put more bums on seats at our club just because fans wanted to watch him play.”
Berrange has turned to Queensland Reds fullback Jock Campbell to be his third No.10 in as many weeks for Saturday’s clash against Bond University at St Lucia.
Campbell acquitted himself well at No.10 for the Reds in Tonga recently when a head knock to James O‘Connor forced him into the emergency playmaker role.
“The great thing about Jock is how happy is to help in whatever way is needed at his club,” Berrange said.
“By playing Jock at No.10, it leaves the club free to start Chace Oates at No.10 in Colts 1 where the team is fighting for a semi-final position in this find round.”
All going well, Twidale and attacking weapon Kye Oates (ankle) will be fit for selection for the first week of finals.
In the pack, hooker Jake Tierney is back from suspension to face Bond.
On Saturday, UQ play Bond at 12.05pm at St Lucia, Brothers host GPS at 12.30pm and Easts play at Bottomley Park for a final time this season against Norths from 1pm.
There’s plenty on the line. Third-placed UQ have a legitimate chance of jumping to second with a win and earning the double-chance in the semi-finals.
It will depend on whether second-placed Wests win or falter against Souths at Chipsy Wood Oval in the final regular season match at 3pm on Sunday.
The Premier clubs deserve credit for adapting to the unique circumstances of this weekend with the saturation demands of the Olympics coverage forcing the tweak to an afternoon Test timeslot for the Wallabies and Springboks.
Everyone has found a way for it to all fit, even the Durban-bred Berrange and Mick Heenan (Bond).
The coaches will share an Uber together post-game to get to Suncorp Stadium for the Test kick-off.
First of all, there is the little matter of UQ trying to address the 31-28 loss to Bond on June 1.
