Paul Gallen and SBW will finally square off in Sydney on July 16. Photo: Photosport
The war of words has gone nuclear.
Paul Gallen is looking to inflict as much damage on Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) as possible before the pair finally square off in the ring on 16 July in Sydney.
Unleashing a barrage towards his opponent, Gallen said that there is nothing to respect about Williams, and said most New Zealanders want to see SBW lose the highly anticipated fight.
However, despite appearances, the former Kangaroo said the feud is not personal.
"I don't care. he's just someone in front of me I need to beat. That's all it is. I don't like him, I don't respect him, but I don't care about him. He's got no influence over me. I'm not concerned about what he says or what he does."
Traditionally not a fan of trash-talk, SBW has uncharacteristically shown plenty of vitriol towards Gallen, labelling him a "narcissistic p**k," and even accusing him of using steroids.
Gallen insisted he's been unaffected by the barbs Williams has thrown.
"You've got to respect the person to worry about their opinion and there's certainly no respect for that bloke. He's a drop kick."
He alleged that even SBW's fellow countrymen will be rooting against him.
"I just think the way he holds himself, the way everything's about Sonny. The amount of Kiwis that I met over in Perth actually during Origin that want me to beat him. I just really want to hurt this bloke, I don't like him. There's nothing about him I like. Nothing."
A fight 10 years in the making, Gallen said his disdain for Williams started even earlier in 2008, when the young prodigy dramatically left the NRL and switched codes to Toulon.
"This hasn't started just because of this fight. I haven't liked him for a very long time. Dating right back to what he done at the Bulldogs, he's not a good person and I get to sort that out in a month's time."
The pair have been trading verbal barbs for over a decade. Photo: Photosport
Gallen has even implied that Williams was not liked during his time with the All Blacks from 2010-2019.
"I don't know what happened with him and the All Blacks. 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 43-year-old admits while his fitness may not be what it once was, he hasn't lost any power.
"We all know his chin's not great but I have to get him first, it's easier said than done. Everyone wants to knock someone out, everyone wants to think, they're a fighter. If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it at the end of the day. And then obviously we know people can't, so I'll get to get in there and have a good red crack, and see what happens."
Gallen is planning to stand and trade leather with Williams should the Kiwi look to engage in close.
"Look, that's my natural type of fighting anyway. I've got to go forward now. He's obviously six four. I'm 5'11'', so I've got to go forward and draw him anyway, so that's the way it's going to be. That's why I've always bought, that's my style of fighting. So, that's what will happen."
So will the pair bury the hatchet after meeting in the ring?
"There's not a chance mate. I've got no respect for the bloke. I don't want to shake his hand. If he wants to put his hand out I'll shake it out of sportsmanship, but that'll be it."
