Gatland junior set to team up with the returning Sonny Bill

WARREN Gatland’s son Bryn could be lining up alongside All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams this weekend in making his Super Rugby debut for the Auckland Blues against New Zealand rivals the Highlanders.

Gatland junior played a huge role in helping North Harbour win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship last October and the 21-year-old was being widely tipped to make the next step up to professional level and a Super Rugby club.

But the call never came until a few weeks back when the prolific goalkicking outside-half was called up to the Canterbury Crusaders squad with Richie Mo’unga suffering a hand injury.

Now Gatland finds himself heading back to Auckland Blues as cover for Ihaia West, who has been ruled out for a month with an ankle problem while fellow fly-half Stephen Perofeta is also battling with injury.

With Blues coach and former All Blacks star Tana Umaga having a depleted No.10 department, Gatland could well be picked on the bench for their Super Rugby date with the Highlanders... a match that may well see the debut of dual-code superstar Williams following his Achilles injury in August last year.

“It is a bit strange being flown all over the country,” said Gatland.

“It is tough being an injury replacement but If I get a chance to get on the field I’ll do what I can to put my best foot forward.”