SBW keeping ABs on a string

The value of Sonny Bill Williams to New Zealand rugby seems to supercede the norms of most international teams.

Williams is yet to get a clearance from his Japanese club, Panasonic, to play for the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship and the Kiwis are willing to wait as long as possible.

Reports in the New Zealand media on Friday revealed the Japanese club had asked for medical examinations to be done on the midfielder before he can play for the All Blacks.

It was thought to be completed this week, but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen told the media that it's a process that they are going through and there's no point in them panicking.

Hansen said that while it could take up until the middle of next week for Williams to be cleared to play in the first Test of the Rugby Championship against Australia next weekend, he is 99 percent sure the mercurial midfielder will be confirmed to play.

Williams, who leaves to begin a contract with Japanese club Panasonic next month, was a notable absentee from Friday's training match in Waitakere and Hansen said he'll wait until as late as Tuesday before moving to plan B.

"Nothing's easy, but there's no point in us panicking," Hansen told reporters.

"We don't need to get him playing until next Saturday so we'll get it sorted hopefully by the weekend and we'll get into it."

Sources: Radio NZ, Newstalk ZB & onenews.co.nz