The All Blacks’ Sonny Bill Williams has been presented with a replacement winners’ medal after giving away his original to a 14-year-old fan.
Williams helped Charlie Lines to his feet after the teenager was floored by a steward when he ran on to the pitch as New Zealand celebrated its third Webb Ellis trophy at Twickenham on Saturday.
He slung his champion’s medal around the 14-year-old’s neck, saying the memories of winning the All Blacks’ third Rugby World Cup was enough and that Lines would appreciate the souvenir more.
One gesture of generosity deserves another - @SonnyBWilliams receives his #RWC2015 winners' medal #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/dAzJT5IOih
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 1, 2015
The 30-year-old won acclaim for the gesture after a tense final won 34-17 against Australia’s Wallabies.
At a gala dinner in London on Sunday night, rugby union’s governing body called Williams to the stage and presented him with a replacement medal.
“I am very surprised, the other boys would’ve done the same thing,” Williams said after the presentation, according to ESPN.
He added: “Also [All Blacks forward] Liam Messam gave him his beanie and is wondering whether he can get a replacement.”
