Paul Gallen accuses Sonny Bill Williams of 'embarrassing' move in build-up to fight
Updated . First published at
It's under a month until Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams face off at Qudos Bank Arena on July 16 - and both men are doing their utmost to pump up the pay-per-views.
The overriding narrative of this fight and pretty much every promoted fight is the mutual dislike the opponents share for one another.
Speaking after Canberra's 16-12 win over Wests Tigers on Nine, Gallen threw the latest verbal jab.
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"I wanted to do a press call. I thought we should have done a press conference maybe this week or next week," Gallen said.
"But Sonny was a little bit offended that I didn't turn up for the first one, which I think is embarrassing, and goes to show the person that he is.
"Obviously we don't like each other, but you know, we're gonna get in there, get it done and see who wins."
Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen. Getty/Nine
Gallen's swipe followed comments he made earlier in the day to New Zealand media, saying Williams was not liked by his teammates at the All Blacks.
"I don't know what happened with him and the All Blacks," he told Radio New Zealand.
"I'm not a rugby man. I know the All Blacks is your pride and joy, but I get the feeling that he wasn't the most liked person within the All Blacks arena either.
"I think when you look at something successful as the All Blacks when they don't like him, I think it says a hell of a lot about who the person is."
The 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winner labelled Gallen a "narcissistic prick," and accused his opponent of using steroids.
Sonny Bill Willams vs Paul Gallen at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on July 16 is available to order live and Exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View for $70
"You've got to respect the person to worry about their opinion and there's certainly no respect for that bloke," Gallen added.
"He's a drop kick."