‘I lost close to a million’: Ex-Test star’s shock reveal; Souths’ warning behind Arrow — Daily

Former NSW State of Origin and Test player Tony Williams has revealed boxing has saved him after he lost about $1 million following his retirement.

The man dubbed ‘T-Rex’ during his playing days due to his hulking 118kg frame, makes his professional boxing debut on Wednesday night against Iranian Kamran Bahremand at Warwick Farm’s William Inglis Hotel.

Williams, who played 171 first grade games, three Origins and eight Tests for Australia and Tonga, revealed how he went off the rails post-footy.

“When I learned to gamble, that was the end of it,” he told the Courier Mail’s Peter Badel.

“I don’t blame the drinking and all this other stuff. I was pretty good like that, but the gambling, yeah, I lost everything because of it.

“I lost close to a million.

“Don’t make my mistakes. Put your money away because football doesn’t last long.”

Boxing has helped the 37-year-old get his life back on track and he eventually wants to fight fellow ex-NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona who has won his first three pro fights.

“I’m not just doing this just for a quick payday. I’m serious about doing this properly and respecting the sport,” Williams said.

“It’s too early for me to say I could beat Nelson, but it would be nice one day.”

ROOSTERS GAME WILL BE AS FIERCE AS EVER DESPITE ARROW’S HONOUR

Hostilities will be put aside when Jai Arrow lines up for his 100th first grade game for Souths on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, but the on-field rivalry against the Roosters will be as ruthless as ever.

Following last week’s game against the Titans, where Arrow officially played his 99th NRL match, emotions will run high again as he walks out onto the field for his final career game.

Arrow, who is battling motor neurone disease (MND), will become just the 67th player to rack up 100 games for Souths before he will be replaced by Cody Walker at kick-off.

A win over their arch-rivals on Friday night will secure Souths a home final and skipper Cameron Murray said the side will rip into the Roosters after the emotional scenes involving Arrow.

He said while Arrow’s condition has momentarily stopped the hate between the two clubs, the game won’t go soft.

“I think everyone would be upset if it was,” Murray said.

The Roosters and Souths have played in some memorable games over the years including ‘sin-bin’ Sunday in 2022, when a record seven players were sent from the field.

Murray reflected on an earlier match when the Rabbitohs defeated the Roosters 60-8.

“Me and Jai played our 100th (NRL) game together against the Roosters in 2021, the night Joey Manu broke his face,” Murray said.

“Our 100th game being against the Roosters was a nice moment together.”

Murray says his side will draw on Arrow as an inspiration to down their oldest foes like they did last week in the win over the Titans.

“We made it special for Jai, and let him enjoy a bit of a taste of what it was like putting the boots on and going to war with us,” he said.

Friday night’s match is a home game for Souths which no doubt has angered the Roosters who see Allianz Stadium as theirs.

Souths eventually want to share it with the Roosters once their deal with Accor Stadium ends in 2030.

The Rabbitohs confirmed in March that they will begin to play more home games at the Moore Park stadium from next year after negotiations with the Minns Government.

Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi said the Roosters can’t stop them from moving in.

“We feel like that’s our home ground, we’ll go out there and treat it like that,” Koloamatangi said.

“It feels like home to us even though there are Roosters colours everywhere.”

For Friday’s match, the Roosters have decided to rest the likes of James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Reece Robson, Naufahu Whyte and Daly Cherry-Evans.

Souths will be close to full strength with only Tallis Duncan out with hamstring tightness.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis has made a donation to support Arrow in his battle with MND.

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