Williams
Ali Williams is a former lock for the All Blacks who won the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Ali Williams Bio
Ali Williams is a former lock who was capped 77 times by the All Blacks. Despite playing most of his domestic career in New Zealand, he also represented Toulon and Racing 92. Ali Williams was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.
Born 30 April 1981, Ali Williams didn’t start playing rugby until he was 17. Instead, he spent most of his junior career representing Auckland at football, tennis and cricket. However, he quickly found he excelled at rugby and he was selected to play for Auckland for the first time in 2001.
Ali Williams then spent most of his senior career with Auckland. In two stints with the club (2001-07 and 2009-2013), he represented the side 35 times. He also enjoyed one season with Tasman in 2008.
Although he did feature in the National Provincial Championship, Ali Williams spent most of his career playing Super Rugby for the Blues (2002-07 and 2009-2013) and the Crusaders (2008). During this time, he made more than 100 appearances in the competition. However, following the conclusion of his contract with the Blues in 2013, Ali Williams left New Zealand and signed for Toulon. He then stayed with the French giants until his retirement in 2015. That said, he did briefly come out of retirement in 2016 to represent Racing 92.
During his domestic career, Ali Williams captured almost every trophy available to him, including the Super 12, Super 14, Heineken Champions Cup and the Top 14.
Although he enjoyed a distinguished domestic career, Ali Williams is undoubtedly best known for his 77 appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2012. During this time, he represented his country at three Rugby World Cups and won the tournament in 2011.
Since his playing career came to a close, Ali Williams briefly worked as a special advisor to Dan Carter at Racing 92. However, since this role ended, he has worked in the property business.
