Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Sonny Bill Williams nears return to action for Blues

Sonny Bill Williams of the Blues. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Blues and All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams is on the brink of returning to action in Super Rugby after missing the last two months with a knee injury.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although he trained with the side on Wednesday, Williams won’t be available for the Blues’ must-win game against the Bulls at Eden Park on Saturday, but head coach Leon MacDonald is eyeing up a return for his squad’s vice-captain next week when they face the Reds in Brisbane.

“We’re trying to build his load back up, you can’t go from minimal to a lot very quickly, especially when you come back from an injury like that,” MacDonald said.

“So this week his load has increased to what would be a typical game week and if he can tolerate that, then he’ll be good to go next week.”

With Williams’ name absent from the Blues’ team sheet for this weekend’s clash, the 33-year-old may ave played his last home game for the franchise, as he is coming off-contract at the end of this season, while the Blues only have away games against the Reds and Hurricanes following their encounter with the Bulls.

Many are expecting Williams to either take up a contract with an overseas club, return to rugby league, resume his stagnant professional boxing career, or retire as an athlete entirely as he reaches the twilight of his career.

The Blues, meanwhile, are in desperate need of victory against the Bulls, with anything less than that likely spelling the end of their faint play-off hopes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sitting in 13th spot with 26 points, the Blues are four points shy of the top eight, and will need to win all of their remaining matches to stay within touching distance of a play-offs spot, let alone actually qualify for a quarter-final.

While a place in the post-season is out of his side’s control, MacDonald is hopeful his side can deliver the results needed to challenge for a qualifying berth.

“It’s important for us to get back [to winning],” he said.

“We had a good performance here a couple of weeks ago against the Chiefs, but we didn’t put in a performance down south [against the Crusaders].

“It was pretty wet, it wasn’t a rainy day, but it was pretty dewy and a cold night. So I’m looking forward to being at home again.

“We understand the importance of the game and the consequences if we don’t get a result.

“This week we’ve been talking about learning to win the games when the pressure is on.

“This is a big chance for our leadership group to take over and prepare like it’s a final.”

In other news:

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 16 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
Search