-
SBW tweet re joining ABs camp - Source: Twitter -
Related
Sonny Bill Williams is not yet officially training with the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup game next weekend but he seems confident he will be in the mix for the first Test of the Rugby Championship.
The rugby superstar tweeted this afternoon "Back in camp with the boys. #Blessed #allblackeverything" along with a photo of other All Blacks, including Richie McCaw, sitting around a table doing a signing session.
He did not indicate when the photo was taken although the upload record says "10:29pm 11 Aug 2012 Camera via iOS" meaning the photo was taken on an iPhone.
Earlier today he also posted a goodbye message to his Super Rugby location, saying "It's a sad day today. Just finished packing. See you later Hamilton thanks for the memories."
Officially he is still stuck in a contract tangle between his new Japanese club Panasonic and the NZRU who want him to front for the next two Tests against Australia.
But his tweets seem to indicate he is already in Auckland - or expects to be there shortly.
Asked if he was going to Japan now, SBW said on Twitter today "not yet, later this month :-)" but he has ignored questions from other tweeters this afternoon about whether he will definitely be playing this weekend.
All Blacks managers have previously said they are "hopeful" he will be cleared to play.
If Williams can't play at second five-eighth, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has the option of playing either Tamati Ellison or Ben Smith outside Ma'a Nonu in a new centre pairing.
The All Blacks are based in Auckland until Thursday when they fly out to Sydney for the Test at ANZ Stadium.