No more rumble in the jungle for big Ali
Roar Pro By stash, 3 Feb 2010 stash is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Aaron Mauger, Ali Williams, All Blacks, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Rugby Union, World Cup
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All Black lock Ali Williams wins the lineout ball ahead of Nathan Sharpe during the Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup Australia v New Zealand rugby test match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, August 2, 2008. AAP Image/PHOTOSPORT, Simon Watts
There is plenty of talk about the likes of Carl Hayman, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, and even Byron Kelleher and Jerry Collins returning to the shores of New Zealand with ambitions to force their way back into the All Blacksx squad.
Many are expressing alarm about players walking into the squad based purely on historical performance. And the decidedly shaky comeback of Luke McAlister in 2009 reinforces this concern.
What seems certain is that players in the All Blacks jumper need to spend game time in New Zealand rugby environments to stay in touch with the idiosyncrasies of Southern Hemisphere rugby.
Without time on the ground, a gulf appears and the player needs to adjust accordingly, with the result being points or games going against them because of the lack of recent experience.
Lack of experience is something that sits oddly when spoken in the same breath as the name Ali Williams.
The familiar sight of the towering New Zealand lock bursting through defences and going on his renowned rambling, destructive runs into the heart of enemy territory was foreboding to his opponents and inspirational to his followers.
But the rugby gods have given Williams a blow that would cause even the most heartless detractor to wince.
After spending the entire 2009 test season recovering from an Achilles operation, the 61 Test veteran lasted only four minutes in a Super 14 warm up match between the Auckland Blues and Waikato Chiefs.
Williams’ 2010 season was effectively over in seconds.
Williams is expected to be out for six months, by which time the All Blacks season will be underway. He may get a run in at NPC, but the chances of showing enough mettle to rejoin the end of year squad after almost two seasons of being missing in action, is bordering on unlikely.
2009 lock replacement Tom Donnelly debuted well, and Issac Ross was hailed as the find of the year. If they grow into the role in 2010, then it could spell the end of the Ali Williams era.
This is a sobering reality for Henry and the All Blacks as they look towards 2011.
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- Explore:
- Aaron Mauger, Ali Williams, All Blacks, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Rugby Union, World Cup
February 4th 2010 @ 1:49am
Boomer said | February 4th 2010 @ 1:49am | Report comment
There’s no doubt that Williams is/was class. But with Ross hard on his clakka I’m struck by two thoughts (yep, just two)..
* Ali will/would have been well past the veteran stage when 2011 rolls around, increasingly immobile and with his reflexes wearing away, and
* Rossco needs some more games under his belt before he can take a stab at dominating 2011.
Unfortunately, the ABs wont lose anything in this transaction.
February 4th 2010 @ 11:15am
stash said | February 4th 2010 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Boomer – tell that to Brad Thorn and see if he wants to take it to the bank
February 4th 2010 @ 9:52pm
Short-Blind. said | February 4th 2010 @ 9:52pm | Report comment
James B where were the classy AB inside backs last year? Henry seemed a little unspoilt for choice and 12 is a trouble spot where Donald, McAlister and Nonu have been tried but not cemented. Carter is the BITB but if he is injured who then? Not Donald we know, Evans is not coming back, Weepu is a tight 9 and McAlister cannot control a game (like Carter). Cruden the saviour? I think he’s got it but it is unlike you Kiwis to give young blood unproven in senior battle a crack at this key position for the senior team – maybe in 2011 after a year with the Canes. Smith is all class but injury prone and not getting younger. I still rate Maugher a chance for 12 if he can come anywhere near the form he showed before departure. Yes there is Gibson, Bateman, Toeava, and a plethora of other quality players but none are proven (as world class) at test level. As an Ozy the AB backline I fear the most in 2010 is Leonard/Cowan, Carter, Nonu/McAlister, Smith, Sivivatu (best line breaker in world rugby), Jane and Muliaina (Guildford close behind Jane). Who knows where they will all be in 2011?
Sam T – love reading your insightful posts, OTMoney!