Sonny Bill Williams: All Black steals show with medal act of kindness
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6:10 AM EDT, Fri March 15, 2019
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Sonny Bill Williams helped New Zealand finish second at the Hong Kong Sevens in April 2016. After the final in which his team was beaten by Fiji, Williams handed over his runners-up trophy to eight-year-old Coop Rodda.
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The All Blacks center handed over his 2015 World Cup winner's medal to 14-year-old fan Charlie Lines after his side had defeated Australia at Twickenham.
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The young All Blacks supporter had run onto the pitch in his post-match excitement only to be bundled to the ground by a steward.
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Williams intervened and walked the teenager back to his place in the stands as well as giving him an unforgettable memento.
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Understandably, the fan in question was delighted with the gesture but later tried to return the medal to its rightful owner.
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Williams, though, rejected the offer, but was then later handed a new medal at the World Rugby Awards in London.
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It was an event dominated by the All Blacks with influential flyhalf Dan Carter being named World Player of the Year for a third time.
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There was little surprise as the All Blacks picked up the Team of the Year award following their 34-17 triumph over Australia in the final.
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Nehe Milner-Skudder, who scored in the final, picked up the award for the breakthrough player of 2015.
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His side may have lost but Australia coach Michael Cheika was rewarded in the way he turned around his side's fortunes with the top coach gong.
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New Zealand's Kendra Cocksedge was named the Women's Player of the Year in the prestigious ceremony.
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