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Down Again: Ali Williams - Source: Photosport -
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All Blacks lock Ali Williams' rugby season may have lasted just
four minutes after hobbling out of Friday night's Super 14
pre-season match between the Blues and Chiefs at Albany.
Williams will undergo surgery on Monday after rupturing the
achilles tendon which required an operation last July and saw him
miss the entire 2009 All Blacks campaign.
A Blues spokesman said the injury was just below where last year's
problem surfaced. He said the extent of the damage was hard to say
but admitted a worst case scenario could see the 28-year-old Blues
forward ruled out for all of 2010.
After falling awkwardly, apparently when simply running to a
breakdown, Williams was escorted from North Harbour Stadium by two
Blues medical staff while struggling to put weight on his lower
right leg.
The game was less than four minutes old and will be an enormous
wrench for Williams, who had trained well with the Blues for the
past six weeks, had undergone a careful recovery from the injury,
as well as a shoulder operation. He recently spent time in
California as part of his recuperation.
If Williams is ruled out of international rugby, it will be an
enormous blow to the All Blacks and their coach Graham Henry, who
struggled to replace the athletic Aucklander last year. Isaac Ross
was employed with mixed success through the June tests and
Tri-Nations while provincial journeyman Tom Donnelly was an
effective performer on the season-ending tour.
Williams' last Test was in 2008, a season when he started all 15
Tests.
His injury follows news that long-time locking partner Chris Jack
will be sidelined for a month with a wrist injury. Jack rejoined
the Crusaders this year after two years overseas.
Meanwhile, the Blues recovered from the jolt of losing Williams to
beat the Chiefs 31-21, scoring five tries to three.
Two of them went to fullback Paul Williams while outside backs Rudi
Wulf and George Pisi and prop Charlie Faumuina were the others to
cross.
The Chiefs, who trailed 10-7 at halftime in scorching conditions,
crossed through fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, flanker Jack Lam and
hooker Aled de Malmanche.
Blues 31 (Paul Williams 2, Charlie Faumuina,
George Pisi, Rudi Wulf tries; Stephen Brett 2 con, Mike Harris
con)
Chiefs 21 (Tim Nanai-Williams, Aled de Malmanche,
Jack Lam tries; Callum Bruce con, Mike Delaney con, Stephen Donald
con).
Halftime: 10-7.
