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Sonny Bill Williams receives second World Cup winner's medal

Sony Bill Williams made a young supporters' night on Saturday by passing over his medal
Image: Sony Bill Williams made a young supporters' night on Saturday by passing over his medal

All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has been presented with a second World Cup winner's medal after he gave his first one to a 15-year-old fan after Saturday's final.

Williams presented Charlie Lines with the medal during the post-match celebrations following New Zealand's 34-17 victory over Australia.

Lines was tackled by stewards as he attempted to run onto the pitch and celebrate with the All Blacks players, and was helped to his feet by Williams and coach Steve Hansen.

And, having escorted Lines back to the stands, Williams took off his medal and gave it to the young supporter.

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Williams said: "I was walking around doing a lap of honour with the boys and a young fella came running out and he got smoked by the security guard, like full-on tackled.

"It was pretty sad, he's just a young fella obviously caught up in the moment.

"If that was a younger brother or cousin I would have given the security guard a hiding but I just picked the kid up and took him back to his old lady, and tried to make the night more memorable for him.

"Better for it to be hanging around his neck than mine, I'm sure he'll remember it for a while. His mum was pretty happy. He had an All Blacks jersey on, so he might be a future All Black."

The generous gesture has attracted a lot of publicity and Williams was called on stage at World Rugby's awards ceremony on Sunday night to be given a replacement medal by All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw.

"I'm really surprised," said Williams. "Most of the boys would have done the same."

Sky Sports own Alex Payne, who was hosting the event, joked: "This is the last one though, so don't lose it."

And Williams asked if team-mate Jerome Kaino would be given a new All Blacks beanie hat, the flanker having given his to teenager Lines on Saturday.

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