No divided loyalties as Aussie pundit Williams backs Ireland

IRELAND or Australia.

Matt Williams must have been asked that question hundreds of times down the years, and he has braced himself for plenty in the way of identical inquiries between now and Saturday morning when the two countries meet in the game that is expected to decide Pool C of the World Cup.

A genial bloke, there is just a hint of frustration when the interview wanders into that same territory and he comes down swiftly on the suggestion that he may have divided loyalties when the sides go at it at Auckland’s Eden Park.

“Not really. I’ve given 12 years of my life to Ireland and Irish rugby,” he explained. “I’m an Irish citizen and I carry an Irish passport. It’s not like I’m giving secrets away to the Russians. I won’t be locked in a jail in Sydney for 30 years when I go back. It’s just rugby.”

His time here with Leinster, Ulster and Ireland As has been well documented, his familial links less so. Williams’ mother was born in Wicklow and both sets of grandparents were born on these shores as well. His three kids, brought up in Greystones, will be cheering for Ireland, too. From Sydney.

Williams’ heart may be with Ireland but his head will be on the job at hand in Setanta’s Dublin studios where he is fronting the station’s tournament output along with former Irish international forward Neil Francis.

Setanta had been eager to break away from the usual sports format of one presenter and three analysts when they first asked Williams to hold the reigns. He wasn’t convinced at first but the double act with Francis has proven to be a success.

“The TV stuff is great to do,” he said. “Setanta are a great company to work for and I have to pinch myself sometimes because I have the best jobs in the world. I’m either coaching rugby or I’m talking about it.

“We’re generally in there laughing, having a great time. We never prepare for it, it’s not contrived. We might go over broadly what we’re going to talk about but then myself and Franno will almost avoid each other before we go on.”

The company is the primary rights holder for the Irish market and is broadcasting every one of the 48 games, the vast majority of which will kick off before the vast majority of people start their nine-to-fives over here. Alarm calls as early as 4am have been the norm for Williams on match days but he seems to be taking it in his stride.

“That doesn’t bother me. I always said that if you want regular hours go work in a bank. Rugby prepares you for irregular hours anyway.”

Now more than ever before.

When he is not on air, Williams is in Narbonne in France where a consortium with which he is involved is attempting to assume control of the local professional club and drag them up from the lower reaches of the second tier to the Top 14.

Contrary to some reports, the deal isn’t done just yet. These things take time in France and it will be another six weeks or so before all the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed but he is already on the ground coaching and early results have been promising.

“There were initial feelings that they were giving away the farm but people now realise that we are there with a long-term view. That is needed if this thing is to be successful and you need to bring everyone along with you.”