Here comes the Sonny
LIONS’ NIGHTMARE WILLIAMS TO LEAD THE ALL BLACKS’ CHARGE
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has been recalled by the All Blacks and ordered to give the Lions another dose of the Blues.
A week after inspiring the Auckland-based Blues to victory over Warren Gatland’s men, the three-sport superstar is back for more.
“I’m starting to feel a bit nimble,” Williams warned after returning to the New Zealand side for the first time in two years.
“I’ve lost a little bit of weight and I’m probably a bit stronger and a bit faster.”
Providing he survives tomorrow’s tune-up Test against Samoa, the two-time World Cup winner will be thrown to the Lions.
All Blacks boss Steve Hansen did not make a fuss of the 31-year-old when announcing his line-up in Auckland last night. He did not need to. The Lions are still haunted by what he did to them at Eden Park, venue for two of the three Tests in a series which kicks off on Saturday week.
Rhys Webb labelled the star of rugby union, league and boxing a “monster” after he scored a try and made a second in the tourists first loss. He said: “He’s special, a big-game player, an athlete and a worldclass individual.”
In the continued absence of Kieran Read, New Zealand have named full-back Ben Smith (left) as captain for the first time. The world champions are also missing Dane Coles, the best hooker in the game, who is replaced by Codie Taylor.
But the return of Williams is the eye-catching selection.
The last time he wore the New Zealand jersey was at Twickenham when he won a World Cup winners’ medal – which he promptly gave to a 14-year-old fan who had been stopped from getting to him on the pitch. Since then he has become an Olympian, spending six months recovering from a ruptured Achilles picked up in that sevens tournament in Rio. Followed by a concussion and a knee injury.
“It’s been tough,” said Williams, who looks likely to come up against Lions No.12 Ben Te’o, an old adversary from their days in Australian rugby league.
“I was so focused on getting stronger and faster that when I finally got back on the field I wasn’t expecting to have the speed bumps that I’ve had. I just needed a bit of game time. I’m starting to show signs that I’m getting to where I want to be.”
NZ (to play Samoa): B Smith (capt); I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, SB Williams, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, A Savea.