Sonny Bill Williams’ wretched year went from bad to worse on Saturday as the two-times Rugby World Cup winner for New Zealand appears likely to have finished an injury-plagued campaign with a shoulder issue.
The 33-year-old lasted just 30 minutes of the All Blacks’ 16-15 victory over England at Twickenham before he left the field and coach Steve Hansen said the Auckland centre would not be back for next week’s clash with Ireland in Dublin.
“He’s got a grade one AC (separated) shoulder,” Hansen told reporters. “He may be (out) for a week, maybe two.”
The All Blacks face world No.2 Ireland next week, with their likely strongest possible side, before they end their November Tests schedule against Italy in Rome on the 24th.
The imposing inside centre was unlikely to have played against the Azzurri anyway, as Hansen had intended to give his fringe players game time on their end-of-season tour as he fine-tunes his Rugby World Cup plans.
Hansen said it was too early to determine whether they would send for a replacement player, although Ngani Laumape looms as a likely call-up if needed after impressing with a hat-trick of tries against Japan in Tokyo last week.
Even if Williams is fit to face Italy, Hansen may still opt to end his difficult year early and give him an extended off-season to prepare for the 2019 Super Rugby campaign.
Williams has had wrist, knee and shoulder problems, and played just five Tests this year, lasting the full 80 minutes in just one of them.
He also played just six games for the Blues and was under scrutiny for underperforming when he did take to the field, although Hansen added that he was the type of player whose form improves with matches.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
I wasn't intending to compare physical injuries between Carter and SBW per se, just the broader context of the value of having very experienced campaigners with extensive test caps and RWC winning ways influencing games in their own way, when the moment in the big games requires it. IMO, Carter did it probably better and more consistently than anyone. SBW has demonstrated the same capacity on the big stage; that's why I believe he will be there and play if he is fit.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
There aren't too many big match players out there, but in any case, the next time SBW makes his significant mark in a game will be during the business end of the RWC, and possibly not before. I don't believe that would bother Hansen, because he knows SBW can deliver on the biggest occasion when it's needed most.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Good post .. I wouldn't write of SBW yet .. many tried to with Carter ... Hansen knows best ... at certainly more than us!
Carlin
Roar Rookie
He has been short of a gallop all year due to his ongoing injury problems. He has also been heavily marked which is due to the problems he can cause with the offload if he has time and gets his arms free. One area where he as improved since his infamous red card is his defence. He has shown an enormous work rate around the tackle and also competing at ruck time. I can see him still being a large part of the All Blacks plans into the World Cup due to his athletic prowess and by all accounts has one of the most professional attitudes towards training habits. He needs to show he can put in multiple games without being injured and play to a high standard in Super Rugby next year. If I was Steve Hansen, I would get him to not worry about getting fit for the Italian match. There is enough adequate cover in the midfield. This will allow a head start on rehabilitation, resting and preparing for next season.
Dean Workman
Roar Rookie
Had a terrible run of injuries which have impeded his time on the paddock. He'll bounce back and look for him to have a big year next year as the RWC looms
James in NZ
Guest
That red card in the 2nd Lion's test comes to mind.
Nova
Roar Rookie
There is no doubting he is an awesome athlete but prone to injury and not much game time I mean how long do you wait for a person to start performing? You can't even compare Carters woes to his.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
SBW is a very good player. And used to be a big match player, but when was the last time he stood out in a big match?
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Nah, SBW is a big match player; and a very good one at that. He mightn't set the world on fire at SR level, but he comes into his own at Test level. If he's fit for RWC duties, he'll play; even if it's off the bench. His lengthy big match experience will be invaluable come RWC time. Look at the wealth of wise old heads the AB's had on tap in the last RWC!. Carter was in the same situation as SBW - persistent niggling injuries, affecting his game time and form. But they took him, wrapped him in cotton wool and protected him to get his match fitness up, then played (while protecting him) to let him do his instinctual thing and contribute to victory.
Machpants
Roar Guru
He's not really been good since rwc 15. Too many diversions and injuries, test rugby should not be where people are playing into form. If he doesn't fire for the blues, past time for him to go
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
All the best to him. Unfortunately SBW was shown up in the wet vs England and perhaps this could spell the end for him. Injury prone and a bit of a one trick pony now.