STEVE KEARNEY’s appointment at the Eels is smart on so many levels – not least will be his ability to recruit players. Not only is he respected by the Storm players, he has the support of all the very best Kiwis in the NRL. And then there is a prominent former Kiwi league star and All Black in the making, Sonny Bill Williams. Kearney has stayed in regular touch with Williams since he walked out on the Bulldogs. When SBW was in Toulon Kearney maintained contact as a friend and has always been a huge supporter. Clearly Williams faces a big challenge as he tries to earn a place in the All Blacks side for next year’s World Cup. And if he makes that side, he will be hard to bring back to the NRL. However, Williams has plenty of time for Kearney and if the Eels manage to recruit Quade Cooper at the end of the World Cup, the chances of Williams then joining the Eels would increase again. Cooper and SBW are friends and would love to play in the same team.