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Sonny Bill Williams out with knee injury, putting his World Cup chances in jeopardy
By Online Editors
Sonny Bill Williams will undergo knee surgery which has the potential to harm his chances of a third successive World Cup with the All Blacks.
The veteran midfield back is forecast to be sidelined for at least six weeks after an operation was scheduled for Friday to tidy up cartilage damaged in the Blues' win over the Stormers two weeks ago.
Williams, 33, suffered the damage while setting up a try, having come off the bench at Eden Park.
He missed Saturday's win over the NSW Waratahs and will play only a small part at best for the remainder of the Super Rugby season.
The injury-prone Williams has started twice this season and come off the bench three times.
He also missed a match to be in Christchurch to help the Muslim community in the wake of the March 15 mosque shootings.
It was a similar story last year when Williams played just five times for the Blues.
He went on to add five Tests to his total tally of 51.
While Williams is hig hly-rated by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, the cross-code star's Test chances aren't helped by the depth on offer at inside centre.
Ryan Crotty, Ngani Laumape and Anton Lienert-Brown are all proven Test performers in that position.
Ma'a Nonu has shown signs of unearthing his best form on return to the Blues although, unlike the others, the veteran wasn't named in Hansen's initial squad named to gather next week to begin preparations for the Test season.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald described the arthroscopic surgery for Williams as minor but a "big blow" to his team.
He predicts Williams will bounce back quickly once fit to return.
"Whatever he puts his mind to, he makes happen," he said.
"This year he really wants to make the World Cup squad and be a part of that obviously, so he's driven to recover well from this injury and get back on the field."
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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