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Foster slams 'mischievous' Sonny Bill Williams rumours
By Online Editors
Ian Foster has criticised “mischievous” rumours suggesting Sonny Bill Williams’ World Cup could have been over before it had started.
Centre Williams was rumoured to be heading home from Japan due to a calf problem but New Zealand assistant coach Foster insisted those claims were baseless.
The All Blacks start the defence of their two consecutive World Cup titles by taking on South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday.
And Foster has insisted Williams will be in the mix for selection for that crucial clash.
“Is he going home? No. Is he available for selection based on his progression last week? Then I think the answer is yes,” said Foster.
“He’s trained really well and got through it and I think we said last week we had a progression plan for a number of the guys who brought niggles into the week and overall came through pretty good.
“In fact, everyone was training at nearly 100 per cent in the last training session.
“It’s just disappointing that a mischievous person has tweeted something with no information behind it.”
Williams had battled off a host of injuries to make New Zealand’s World Cup squad in the first place.
Knee surgery had threatened the 34-year-old’s World Cup place, and that after dealing with wrist, knee and shoulder injuries in the previous season.
Asked whether New Zealand were considering any call-ups, Foster added: “I’ve just answered that question. There’s no people needed.”
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Latest Comments
NO WAY HOSE!
Go to commentsOnly an idiot would do that.
You have highlighted the absurdity of that idea yourself by placing the JLRO up on that same Top 14 metric.
Even looking introspectively it's foley to think the Top 14 is the best product it can be.
We've already been over this. Obviously you can argue what 'best' means in the context of French viewership, and what you seem to be arguing in favour of, the business's, the broadcasters and sponsors. What they want could vary by the competing networks and sports, viewing hours and days (very different in a country like India for example), slot priority, etc, etc. I was specifically talking about the context above and how that can show French supporters they don't need to be lumped with what they've got, that they shouldn't think it needs to stay the way it is because it must "obviously" be the best way. It's not. It doesn't.
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