​Sonny Bill Williams Explains Why He Decided To Protest The Banks

Former-rugby league star turned World Cup winning All Black, Sonny Bill Williams has used a "conscientious objection" clause in his contract to cover the logos of two banks sponsoring his Super Rugby team, the Auckland Blues, with tape during games.

Williams, who is an absolute titan of the game and one of the most idolised players in both rugby union and league, covered the sponsorship logos of the Bank of New Zealand and Investec during a match in Dunedin last Saturday. He will now be given a special jersey by the Blues without the bank's logos on it.

"I want to be clear that this is nothing personal against the BNZ or Investec," said Williams in a statement given to New Zealand Rugby.

"My objection to wearing clothing that markets banks, alcohol and gambling companies is central to my religious beliefs, and it is important to me to have been granted this exemption.

"As I learn more, and develop a deeper understanding of my faith, I am no longer comfortable doing things I used to do.

"So while a logo on a jersey might seem like a small thing to some people, it is important to me that I do the right thing with regards to my faith and hope that people respect that.

"I want to thank the Blues and New Zealand Rugby for working with me through this matter over the last couple of days, and respecting my religion and accommodating my request."

The protest is informed by SBW's Islamic faith, which instructs him not to borrow money or pay interest to banks. His contract with New Zealand Rugby has a clause in it that allows him not to carry out sponsorship commitments with companies involved in finance, gambling, alcohol or tobacco.

A spokesman for the Bank of New Zealand said Williams was "entitled to have religious beliefs and customs around that, and it's really between him and the Blues, as to how that manifests itself. So we have no issue with it."

Williams converted to Islam in 2008 and remains a close friend of the outspoken and controversial First Australian boxer and Islamic convert, Anthony Mundine (both of whom are managed by Khoder Nasser), who has called on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes to boycott the Australian anthem during sporting fixtures. He also chose not to stand for the national anthem during his blockbuster bout with long-time nemesis, Danny Green.

Williams is also tight with Islamic South African cricket players, Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir, who have refused to wear clothing with the Proteas' main sponsor, Castle Lager, because their faith forbids alcohol. The players have since been permitted to wear different uniforms to other members of the South African squad. William's stand is the latest in a resurgence of big-time athletes around the world using their profile to take a political, moral or religious stands.

His decision to protest the banks has predictably kicked off a stink. New Zealand Prime Minister, Bill English weighed in saying he found it "hard to understand."

"It's hard to understand how one guy gets to behave differently than the rest of them," he told TV3.

"I don't understand these professional contracts but if you're in the team, you're in the team and you wear the team jersey," he said.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive, Steve New, said SBW had created a "tricky" situation for the rest of the game. "They're all tricky because our commercial partners, with a lot of good faith, come in to support the game," he told Radio Sport.

"They obviously need to get a return on their investment. Part of that is the logo that we didn't see on Sonny Bill's jersey on Saturday night."

Speaking to CNN back in 2013, Williams, who had disciplinary issues early in his career, revealed his conversion to Islam was influenced by a chance encounter with a poor Tunisian family while playing rugby in southern France. The family had lived with all five children in a one bedroom flat.

"I was real close with them, and I saw how happy and content they were. And to see how they lived their lives, it was just simple," Sonny Bill Williams, told CNN's Human to Hero series.

"One thing I've learned over my career is that simplicity is the key. On the field, off as well."

"I've become a true Muslim. It's giving me happiness. It's made me become content as a man, and helped me to grow. I've just got faith in it and it has definitely helped me become the man I am today."