Time for All Blacks to give Sonny Bill the boot?
INJURY UPDATE: All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has reportedly pulled up with a tight hamstring at All Blacks training, casting doubt on his chances of making a third World Cup.
Stuff has reported that Williams could be unavailable for the All Blacks’ first Test of the year against Argentina in Buenos Aires. The match is still two weeks away.
Williams has had a horrid run with injuries over the latter stages of his career and has managed only a limited number of appearances for the Blues in 2019.
The inside centre ran out for Ponsonby Club last weekend as a way of maintaining match fitness, but that could all be in vain.
Steve Hansen has previously said that Williams has nothing to prove in the lead up to the World Cup, but the selectors will struggle to justify Williams’ inclusion in the squad if he has played so little rugby in 2019.
Williams played just six Tests for the All Blacks last year and also had limited game time with the Blues because of wrist, knee and shoulder ailments.
The two-time World Cup-winner has played just 51 Tests for the All Blacks since making his debut in 2010.
An official announcement out of the All Blacks camp is expected soon.
In an interview with Stuff earlier this week, Williams said last weekend’s club game was good for him.
“I was keen to just get out there and hit some bodies and play some footy,” said Williams. “I wasn’t looking to try and set the world on fire. I was just trying to get some contacts and touch the ball as much as I could.
“It’s just about playing footy. I need to keep playing and then the touch and all that comes back. It’s just about being where my feet are and being happy. I’m happy off the field, but I still have that fire and passion to try and succeed on it.”
Source: stuff.co.nz
