All Blacks back Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of both Tests against Australia this month, continuing a rotten run with injury.
Coach Steve Hansen confirmed veteran inside centre Williams will be named in his Rugby Championship squad on Monday but won’t be fit for either Bledisloe Cup Test.
Williams, who turns 33 on Saturday, missed the first two Tests against France in June with a knee complaint.
He hasn’t played since damaging a shoulder joint in the third Test and is targeting a return for the third Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Nelson.
“He looks fit and he trained well this morning without doing any of the contact stuff,” Hansen said.
“The injury he’s got inhibits him from doing physical stuff but his running was good.”
Another to miss the Wallabies Tests in Sydney on August 18 and in Auckland on August 25 will be Dane Coles.
The dynamic hooker joined Williams and 27 others at an All Blacks training camp in Christchurch on Wednesday.
The camp doesn’t feature any players from the Crusaders, who are hosting the Lions in the Super Rugby final in the same city on Saturday.
Coles’ hasn’t played for nearly nine months since rupturing knee ligaments during a Test against France in Paris.
The 31-year-old has regained strength and flexibility in his knee and is likely to be among three hookers in the 33-man squad.
However, Hansen wants his initial return to come at provincial level, with an eye to a Test recall later in the Rugby Championship.
“Once he’s had enough rugby, he’ll come to us.
“We’ve just got to get him running fit so we can get the old Colsey back.”
Backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
Forwards: Luke Whitelock, Akira Ioane, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Vaea Fifita, Jackson Hemopo, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris.
Winston
Guest
Reminds me of Richard Kahui’s run with injuries
John P
Guest
Doesn't matter who the AB`s have at 13 they will still run straight over Foley if he is not hiding at fullback or on the wing that is.
bluffboy
Guest
For me it's time to go. With Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape and Jack Goodhue, we are in good stead. It's time to move on and build combinations for the future. Bledisloe 1 Mo'unga - Crotty - Goodhue Bledisloe 2 Barret - Laumape - Lienert-Brown Bledisloe 3 (the ambush) Coltman - Tu’inukuafe - Franks (it would be like watching an Ice Breaker in full swing) Sonny-Bill, thank you for your service, there is nothing more to prove............
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Such a shame for the bloke, a terrific player in both codes, but I suppose that opens the door for Laumape in the run on XV - not much lost there. I did just see, on the contrary, that Toomua is clear for the RC for the Wallabies. Interesting news for the centre positions of both teams.
riddler
Guest
hope not.. i still think he wants to be part of the all black machine.. after japan who knows.. but would love to see him in the ab jersey for japan.. a superb player.. ps in reply to fionn.. my clumsy fat fingers in action yet again and missed the right think to click on..
Fionn
Guest
Is it time for SBW to look overseas? It feels like he's perennially injured. Even suggesting it here I can't see it. I think he'll absolutely want to be part of the RWC campaign as opppsed to chasing the dollars. Huge respect to the guy.