Sonny Bill Williams claims former English teammate was better than Dan Carter

Petaia has become a mainstay for the Wallabies, playing both in the centre and on the wing. While injuries continue to be a concern, his versatility and ability to break the game open make him a crucial part of Australia’s plans. He played in the 2023 World Cup and is expected to be a key player as the Wallabies rebuild.

Known for his bold on-field decisions, the New Zealand legend has now made one off the field that has left fans buzzing: the exclusion of two All Blacks icons – Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.

Combined, these rugby titans share 260 test caps, but neither made the cut. Who did?

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When asked by Sporting News to name the best players he’s ever lined up alongside, Sonny Bill made the audacious call to drop Dan Carter in favor of… drumroll... England’s very own Jonny Wilkinson!

That’s right, the All Blacks' most prolific fly-half was sidelined for Toulon teammate Wilkinson.

But Sonny Bill had his reasons: “I’m lucky enough to say I’ve played with Jonny Wilkinson and have seen the commitment that he had,” Williams explained.

“He was at the height of his powers when I played with him, but the dedication to his craft was just unbelievable.”

"Playing with Jonny in my second season at Toulon gave me the confidence to believe I could [play international rugby]," Sonny Bill Williams added.

"That was the reason I wanted to go back home and try and prove to people and myself that I could play. I was fortunate enough to play alongside some greats, not least Jonny and [the former All Black captain] Tana Umaga, who really helped my game.

"I had a lot of self-doubts when I first came to the code but I knew these guys had reached the top ... playing alongside them made me feel I could give it a crack."

Turns out the admiration wasn’t one-sided. Back in their Toulon days, Wilkinson was quick to sing Sonny Bill’s praises:

“I think he will go brilliantly,” Wilkinson said. “His strength is his strength – his ability to keep the ball alive, his physicality, his ball movement and game awareness in space and people around him. I’ve not seen the likes of him before.”

Another surprise inclusion in Sonny Bill Williams dream team was none other than France’s heroic flanker Thierry Dusautoir.

The Les Bleus legend, who famously captained France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, left a lasting impression on SBW during their time in France:
“He wasn’t just an amazing player,” Williams said, “but you could see how he rallied his troops in big games. He’s someone I really admire.”

Here’s the XIII he picked this time though, with one player being kept in reserve:

Let’s revisit McGeechan’s predictions and update where these players are now, four years later.

1. Marcus Smith, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Smith was praised for his calmness under pressure, a hallmark of great players. A rapid rise from school rugby to Harlequins, he was seen as a future England star despite not yet being capped.

What happened next:
Smith made his England debut in 2021 and has since become a regular for both club and country. He starred for the British and Irish Lions in 2021 and played a crucial role in Harlequins' 2021 Premiership title win. His position in the England squad became more contested with the return of George Ford, but his creative playmaking style keeps him as a key figure in English rugby.

2. Jordan Joseph, France
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
A powerful runner and skillful offloader, Joseph was tipped as the future of France’s back row.

What happened next:
Joseph’s career has been somewhat stop-start. While still highly regarded, he struggled to break into the senior national team quickly. He spent time on loan at Pau from Racing 92 to gain more game time and experience. Joseph remains a talent, but fierce competition in France’s back row has limited his international opportunities.

3. Caelan Doris, Ireland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Doris was identified as a special talent, standing out for his ball-carrying and physicality at Leinster. McGeechan expected him to win many Ireland caps.

What happened next:
Doris has firmly established himself as one of Ireland’s top players. He played a starring role in Ireland’s 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam and continues to be a crucial figure for both Leinster and the national team. He has cemented his reputation as one of the best No. 8s in world rugby. Such is his reputation, Doris is being back as genuine contender to captain the British & Irish Lions in 2025.

4. Joe Simmonds, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Simmonds was seen as an excellent fly-half with impressive game management and kicking skills. He was close to an international call-up.

What happened next:
Despite captaining Exeter Chiefs to a Premiership and European double in 2020, Simmonds never fully broke into the England setup, with stiff competition from the likes of Marcus Smith and George Ford. He has since moved to Pau in The Top 14.

5. Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Rees-Zammit was lauded for his explosive pace and finishing ability, with his first Wales cap imminent.

What happened next:
Rees-Zammit has become a star for Wales, earning caps and scoring tries with regularity. He was one of the standout players in the 2021 Six Nations, helping Wales to win the tournament. He also toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2021. However. he quit the sport in January 2024 to try and play in the NFL, first signing with the Kansas City Chiefs before subsequently joining Jacksonville Jaguars.

6. Cameron Redpath, England/Scotland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Destined to play for England, Redpath was seen as a rangy, skilled centre with a bright future.

What happened next:
Redpath chose to represent Scotland and made an instant impact in his debut during Scotland’s famous win against England in the 2021 Six Nations. Injuries have hampered his progress, but he remains a player with significant potential for both Bath and Scotland.c

7. Jamie Dobie, Scotland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
A promising young scrum-half, Dobie had George Horne and Ali Price ahead of him in the Scotland pecking order.

What happened next:
Dobie has continued to develop but remains behind Price and Horne in the Scotland setup. He has made strides at Glasgow Warriors and earned a few Scotland caps. Dobie’s time could still come, but patience will be key as he continues to evolve as a player.

8. James Grayson, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
The son of Paul Grayson, James was seen as a clever tactical fly-half with good mentorship at Northampton Saints.

What happened next:
In 2023, Grayson made the move to Japan, joining Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan Rugby League One. His international ambitions remain on hold, but he continues to develop his game in a new environment while playing an important role for his new club.

9. Luke Jacobson, New Zealand
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Jacobson was tipped to be a regular in the All Blacks' back row by the 2023 World Cup.

What happened next:
Jacobson has lived up to expectations, becoming a regular in the All Blacks' squad. He was part of New Zealand’s 2023 World Cup campaign and has continued to impress with his physicality and work rate for both the Chiefs and the national team. He has a bright future ahead of him in New Zealand rugby.

10. Jordan Petaia, Australia
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Petaia was highlighted for his size, power, and natural ball-handling ability, with injuries hampering his progress at the time.