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Speculation mounting that the All Blacks are set to lose another player to injury
By Online Editors
Questions are being asked about Sonny Bill Williams' fitness for the Rugby World Cup, with speculation swirling that Ngani Laumape is about to replace him in Japan.
Williams is suffering from a calf injury - that saw him miss the All Blacks' test against Tonga - and one commentator is saying he will soon be on the way home.
An All Black spokesman was non-committal when approached for comment this morning.
If true, the dramatic late switch would come with the All Blacks' opening clash with South Africa in Yokohama just six days away.
Despite having played only about 40 matches since the last World Cup, the injury-prone Williams has remained central to coach Steve Hansen's plans.
Former World Cup match commentator Hamish McKay has publicly sparked the rumour mill, saying Williams' withdrawal is imminent.
"I trust my source absolutely. Watch this space," McKay told Newstalk ZB's Martin Devlin.
"It's more than an injury watch day … it's a day-to-day proposition. I think we're going to hear something break."
McKay, the former TV3 sports anchor and rugby editor, reckoned: "How long before Ngani Lauampe is on the plane?"
Players who are replaced can take no further part in the tournament. Both Williams and Laumape are second five-eighths not known for playing other positions at test level.
Laumape has kept up his solid form while playing for Manawatu in the Mitre 10 Cup. Yesterday he bagged two second-half tries to see the Turbos overcome a 26-7 halftime deficit and deny Southland what would have been their first win in three years.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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