'It's good being big': All Blacks to deploy heaviest ever player against Springboks

The Springboks have named an all-time mountainous pack for their second-round Test of The Rugby Championship against the All Blacks. The Kiwis have, in turn, called upon Tamaiti Wiliams; a 22-year-old who will set a record for New Zealand’s heaviest international player when he takes the field in Auckland.

Williams’ 139kg frame clocks in at 3kg heavier than the previous heaviest player, Neemia Tialata. But the prop’s stature does little to impede his work rate, having played big minutes for the Crusaders all season in Super Rugby Pacific due to the injury toll the team suffered.

Naturally, Williams’ physicality is a huge attribute and one that will be put to the ultimate test on Saturday night when he comes up against the Springboks “bomb squad”. However, It’s the big man’s skillset that makes him unique in the eyes of teammate Codie Taylor.

“I don’t think I’ve seen someone with that stature and skillset in the world around his ability to play with the ball, explosiveness and footwork for a big man,” Taylor told reporters ahead of the Springboks Test.

“I’ve always joked that he should go to the NFL and have a crack because I reckon he would go all right.”

While the scales offer an impressive figure, it’s a whole ten kilograms lighter than Williams has been previously in his young professional rugby career. Under the guidance of Scott Robertson and company in the Crusaders environment, Williams has put in the work to get himself in the best shape of his career.

It’s an achievement that “doesn’t just happen”, Taylor has witnessed first-hand the young prop’s work ethic and progression from a 20 minutes per game player to one that can go 70 minutes deep into a Super Rugby final and have the legs to make big plays throughout.

Now, on the cusp of achieving his dream and taking the field for the All Blacks, Williams reflects on his journey to date with pride and a straightforward mentality.

“It’s good being big,” he said. “But, if you’re big and you can’t get a run then you can’t do anything.

“So for me, it’s just getting more involvement in the game and being big. So, if I can get my hands on the ball more then I have to be fitter so it’s just balancing it out.”

Fond memories of watching the All Blacks and Springboks clash growing up are highlighted by the “big hits”, an area of the game that the kid from the far north of New Zealand is hoping to lending his shoulder to.

“I just love the physicality you see on TV when the All Blacks and Springboks meet. It’s something I’m looking forward to.”