Sonny Bill Williams is back and set to make an impact for the All Blacks in the looming big matches of the Rugby World Cup.
That’s the message from former NRL star Williams’ selection on the bench in a full-strength New Zealand team named to meet major pool A rival France – their nemesis of the 1999 and 2007 World Cups – at Eden Park on Saturday.
There were some raised eyebrows when the blockbusting Williams failed to make the match squad for the All Blacks’ Tri Nations series deciding loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane late last month.
The thinking was that he wasn’t versatile enough to fill a bench spot, having played all his rugby union at centre.
But coach Graham Henry clearly values his potential as a game-turner from the bench and gave him the chance to prove his utility value when he did well on the wing in the 83-7 pool win over Japan last Friday.
There’s no doubt the team chosen to play France is the one Henry thinks is his best available, with only injured No.8 star Kieran Read not considered.
Skipper Richie McCaw is back for his 100th Test, returning from injury along with five-eighth Dan Carter.
Rising star Israel Dagg secured the fullback role ahead of veteran Mils Miliaina who has so far failed to reach his best this season.
Piri Weepu was preferred in the often-contentious halfback role, ahead of Jimmy Cowan and Andy Ellis, and Adam Thomson bumped out Victor Vito at No.8 in Read’s absence.
Richard Kahui, usually a centre, has nailed down a wing spot after some impressive performances.
And Sam Whitelock will partner Brad Thorn at lock ahead of the far more experienced Ali Williams, who has failed to show real impact and goes to the bench with another lock, Anthony Boric.
Asked if this was his No.1 team, the cagey Henry said: “For this particular opposition, I think it’s the best team.”
Henry said it was difficult to tell the off-form Muliaina he wasn’t picked for France.
The pair have known each other since Muliaina played in the same Auckland secondary school while Henry was the principal.
“The selection is on form at this particular moment,” Henry said. “It’s difficult for Mils, he’s been a high quality player for a long time for the All Blacks.
“There was a lot of emotion involved in this decision. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go with your best team and we’ve gone with Israel.”
Henry swept aside talk of France picking a substandard team without some key players starting and usual halfback Morgan Parra at five-eighth.
“This French side will be a very difficult side to beat,” Henry said. “They’re a big side, very physical, got a very mature pack and got some outstanding, talented backs.
“We’ve got a lot of history with them in the World Cup, and there’s been a lot of pain for some people, and we don’t want to go through that pain again.”
McCaw, Carter and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock started in the 2007 quarter-final loss to France, while reserve forwards Andrew Hore and Ali Williams also played in that match in Cardiff.
New Zealand (15-1): Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.
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