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Sonny Bill Williams will be picked to make his All Blacks Sevens debut in Wellington only if he’s ready, coach Sir Gordon Tietjens says.
Tietjens says he’s under no pressure to include the dual rugby and league international when he reduces his 24-strong squad on Monday to 12 for the New Zealand leg of the world series the following weekend.
“There’s no pressure to pick Sonny,” he said.
“I’ll pick Sonny if he’s ready. He hasn’t played the game before. He’s got to be really ready and go in with a lot of confidence.”
Tietjens said Williams was “pretty nervous” but he was excelling in camp every day and was sure to become a great sevens player.
The 30-year-old Williams, who won a second Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks last year, is among a group of 15-a-side players who have put their hand up for selection for this year’s Rio Olympics.
“The guys that have came from 15s – to be fair, they have to make that transition,” Tietjens said.
“They are going to be a little rusty, which is probably normal.”
But he said the likes of Ardie Savea, Ben Lam, brothers Akira and Rieko Ioane and Williams were training well.
“If things go along really well, they will be part of Wellington.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.