Unlikely Friendship Leads to Auction of SBW’s World Cup Medal

A remarkable friendship formed on the field of Twickenham Stadium in 2015 is now set to culminate in the auction of a highly coveted Rugby World Cup medal. Charlie Line, then just 14 years old, made headlines when he jumped onto the pitch after the All Blacks claimed victory, only to receive a winner’s medal from two-time World Cup champion Sonny Bill Williams. Nearly a decade later, the pair have developed a close bond that will see the medal auctioned with proceeds benefiting a charitable cause.

On October 31, 2015, after the All Blacks defeated Australia 34-17, Line leaped over the barriers of Twickenham, eager to celebrate. Despite being just two months post-ACL reconstruction surgery, his determination led him to evade a security guard and end up at the feet of Williams. Instead of being reprimanded, Line was lifted by the All Black star, who generously handed him his medal, an act that has since changed both their lives.

Reflecting on that fateful night, Line, now 24 and living in Dubai, recounted how he unexpectedly attended the match after his father, a pilot, was called to work. “We were very lucky. We had quite good tickets and walked down to the front at the end of the game when the players were walking around,” he said. After several attempts to reach the field, he was finally tackled but landed at Williams’ feet, which led to the iconic moment.

As they exited the stadium, the excitement was palpable. Line recalled fans offering sums of £20,000 to £30,000 for the medal, but he had no intention of selling it. The following day, he reached out to Williams through mutual acquaintances to express his gratitude and offer the medal back. “Sonny’s worked his whole life for this medal. We thought, ‘Okay, we’ve got to give it back,’” Line explained.

Williams, however, insisted that the medal meant more to Line and invited him to meet the team again. “For a 14-year-old diehard sports fan, it was just crazy,” Line shared, recalling the whirlwind of media attention that followed. This encounter marked the beginning of a lasting friendship, with both men visiting each other’s homes and sharing family experiences.

Over the years, Line has formed a bond with Williams’ family, with the All Black’s children even referring to him as “uncle.” He describes Williams as “the nicest man in the world” and appreciates the positive influence he has had on his life. “My parents loved me being around him because he’s such a good influence,” Line added.

As memories of that historic night remain vivid, Line says he regularly sees videos of the moment surfacing on social media. He has preserved the medal in a protective frame, a constant reminder of their unique connection. Now, the duo has decided to auction the medal, with plans to donate the proceeds to the Bhubesi Pride Foundation (BPF), an organization focused on empowering disadvantaged children in Africa through sport and education.

BPF operates a community center in Malawi, where approximately 200 children engage in rugby and receive valuable life skills training, including how to create reusable sanitary pads and insights into reproductive rights. Line emphasized the significance of the auction, stating, “As amazing as the medal is, if I can get some money for it that goes to helping a thousand kids in Malawi, that would be the perfect next step.”

Looking back, Line reflects on the profound impact that one night had on his life. “I’ll always be able to tell the story of the night to my grandkids,” he remarked. “What’s come from it is much more. It’s the friendship, the relationship I have with him and his family.”

As plans for the auction unfold, both Line and Williams are eager to give back, showcasing how a spontaneous act of kindness can lead to a lifetime of connections and contributions. “I’ll always remember that night as one of the best nights of my life,” Line concluded. “It completely changed my life.”