Sonny Bill Williams is unlikely to recover from a hamstring injury in time to play for the New Zealand against Argentina, All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster says.
“It’s doubtful,” Foster told reporters on Tuesday when asked about William’s chances of running out against the Pumas in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
“He’s training really well. He’s grumpy with me from holding him back a little bit today because he is raring to go. He’s feeling really good but we’ve got to make sure we’ve got full strength back into that leg.”
Foster said a final decision would be taken on Thursday when they name their team for the Rugby Championship opener.
Williams, who won the World Cup with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015, has had a hard time with injuries this year.
The 33-year old Auckland Blues back had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in late March and then hurt a hamstring.
He was included in the travelling party for Argentina in part because of his vast experience.
Eight players from Super Rugby champions Crusaders were left out of the squad to rest after a long season and Williams, who has played 51 times for the All Blacks, is one of the old heads in a new-look squad.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
I agree. You don't need to add "still". I think that it was two years ago, he had a head knock in a game in Sydney. On the flight back to Auckland, my mother met him and asked him about his head. He was surprised that an "old lady" knew about it. He was very pleasant to her. She was flying to Buenos Aires from Sydney and shared the flight to Auckland.
woodart
Guest
still a great guy to have a chat to. very humble and does the Jersey proud.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Don’t worry they don’t need him and if they do he’ll come out smokin as would Nonu . They are world class !
piru
Roar Rookie
Well he's had three, but gave one away
jeznez
Roar Guru
Has he though? How many winners medals has he got?
piru
Roar Rookie
He's won two RWCs How many do you have?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I would have to disagree with you on his impact in the 2015 World Cup. Was good off the bench in a close game against Argentina in pool play. And made some big plays in the 2nd half of the final including the offload to Ma’a Nonu’s try. Since then though he has not really offered too much apart from a couple of good games on the 2017 end of year tour. Questions do need to be asked about his durability and playing multiple games back to back.
Piri
Guest
No surprises there! ‘Vast experience’??..Won first cup warming the bench and second coming of it with no great impact and pretty much done nothing since! If the bench warmers and injured need advice, and if one needs advice on shoulder hits and knocking the ball dead...then sbw is your man!...certainly cant see anyone wanting rugby advice from him!
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
He’s a practicing Muslim. Unlikely.
Lara
Guest
Just play Laumape.
charly_777
Guest
Best! that comes to walk to B.Aires, to eat a good piece of meat cooked slowly with a good cabernet and to chat a little!