Published: Saturday August 11, 2012 MYT 9:22:00 AM
Rugby: SBW not yet clear for All Blacks-Wallabies Test
WELLINGTON: A week away from the All Blacks' opening Rugby Championship match doubts remain about the availability of Sonny Bill Williams as his new Japanese employers hold off releasing him.
Although Williams has signed on with the Panasonic Wild Knights, the All Blacks are asking he be released to play Australia in Sydney next Saturday and Auckland a week later as cover for injured centre Conrad Smith.
A week ago, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said all that remained was to tidy up the paperwork with Panasonic but now he said the Japanese club wants Williams to undergo a medical examination.
They want to be sure there are not lingering concerns about the fitness of their prized signing after he played a central role in the Waikato Chiefs championship-winning Super 15 campaign this year.
"Panasonic just want him to have some medicals today and that's fine, that's par for the course, and he's gone and done that," Hansen said as Williams sat out a light training run against the Auckland squad on Friday night.
"Once we finalise all that we will get the red light or the green light. He's sore, but all those Chiefs' boys are sore ... he's had a big season, he's played about 20 games and played pretty well so it's not surprising."
If Williams is not allowed to play then the All Blacks are likely to start Ma'a Nonu at inside centre alongside either Tamati Ellison or Ben Smith.
Meanwhile, the good news for Hansen was confirmation backrower Kieran Read was fit to play after being sidelined since July 7 when he fractured a rib when the Canterbury Crusaders beat the Chiefs in a regular season match. - AFP
- Gritty Indonesia give mighty China a huge scare
- BAM must stop rewarding mediocrity or be doomed
- Chong Wei urges team-mates to put Cup exit behind
- BAM secretary: It all depends on Kien Keat and Boon Heong now
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Nicol David sails into quarter-finals of British Open in 35 minutes
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- British Open: Ramy Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Malaysia to host 2016 World Table Tennis meet
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Giro stage called off after heavy snow overnight
- Ryan Palmer sizzles with 62 to seize lead at Colonial
- LPGA plans 12-hole rounds in water-logged Bahamas
- British Open: Ramy Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- Haas, Waldorf set pace at Senior PGA Championship
- Palmer takes control with a 62 at Colonial
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Easier for Pandelela without Ruolin and Koltunova
RSS
