Sonny Bill ‘doubtful’ for clash with Pumas

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster reckons Sonny Bill Williams got a bit cranky with him in Buenos Aires this week.

Williams is eager to start against Argentina on Sunday morning after a Super Rugby season riddled with injuries, but his chances of being selected appear slim after Foster indicated he’s ‘‘doubtful’’ due to concerns around his tight hamstring.

That, it seems, didn’t prevent Williams from letting his boss know he should be allowed to slip the leash.

‘‘But he’s training really well,’’ Foster said. ‘‘He’s grumpy with me for holding him back a little bit today because he’s just ready to go.

‘‘He’s feeling really good but we just have to make sure we get full strength back into that leg.’’

Despite tweaking his hamstring at the All Blacks training camp in Auckland last week, Williams was invited to fly to Argentina with fellow specialist midfielders Ngani Laumape and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Jack Goodhue has stayed in New Zealand, along with seven other Crusaders players after the side won the Super Rugby title on July 6. Another Crusaders midfielder, Ryan Crotty, is unavailable after requiring an operation on the thumb he broke in the semifinal.

If Williams isn’t selected for this test, it’s expected Laumape will start at No 12, with LienertBrown at centre.

Although it appears likely Williams will be scratched, Foster said a final call would be made when the team was released to the public.

‘‘There’s nothing clever about that. You will find out on Thursday [tomorrow], I gather.’’

Williams is likely to be told to ensure he’s fully fit for the test against the Springboks in Wellington next weekend, where he will probably be paired Goodhue in the midfield.

The hard-running Laumape will be desperate to promote himself ahead of the World Cup in Japan.

Last year he was dropped from the initial Rugby Championship squad, but returned as injury cover to make appearances against Argentina and Australia. He also earned caps against Japan and Italy on the northern tour.

Following his omission he was told, among other things, no doubt, to improve his communication and Foster said he was satisfied with the way he developed his skills with the Hurricanes after a chat at the start of the season. with