It is time for Sonny Bill to retire
INJURY UPDATE: Perhaps the time has come for injury-prone All Black midfielder Sonny Bill Williams to step away from the game.
Williams is in doubt for the opening fixture of the Rugby Championship as he recovers from yet another injury – this time a troublesome shoulder.
This means the injury will also likely keep him out for the remainder of the Blues’ Super Rugby campaign.
Williams didn’t feature in the Blues’ first home win of the season, this past Friday, after picking up an AC joint injury in the All Blacks’ third Test against France.
He rushed back and made a surprise return from a knee injury just to appear in that third Test, where he lasted 60 minutes before going down again with the shoulder injury.
Blues coach Tana Umaga admitted that Williams’ availability moving forward was uncertain after this past Friday’s Super Rugby victory over the Reds.
The 32-year-old midfielder – the oldest current All Black – has had injury issues since the 2016 Olympics, when he ruptured his Achilles playing sevens.
Williams managed just six games for the Blues last season and has featured in just five matches for the side this year after dealing with arm and knee injuries.
However, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen told Fairfax that he isn’t concerned about Williams’ durability.
“I think he’s durable enough,” Hansen said.
“He’s just not having any luck at the moment.
“They’re not muscle injuries, they’re impact injuries so that’ll turn. He’s fine, we’re very happy with where he’s at.”
The All Blacks open their Rugby Championship campaign in Sydney with a Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies on August 18.
Source: RugbyPass
