All Black duo ready to play

– New Zealand could have a timely injection of fresh legs for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against South Africa with midfielders Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty cleared to play after recovering from injuries.

Williams, who missed the opening three matches, is available after having a scan on his injured shoulder, said All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster, while fellow centre Crotty was also in contention for the match in Wellington after being cleared of a head knock that triggered concussion protocols.

“Sonny had his scan yesterday and he’s all clear, ready to go, but he was sick this morning so he didn’t train, but the good news is his scan’s all clear,” Foster told local media yesterday.

“He’s in contention to play, it’s just some bug or something.”

The pair’s return to fitness comes at just the right time after inside centre Ngani Laumape was ruled out for the next two to three weeks. Laumape suffered a knee ligament strain in the All Blacks’ 46-24 win over Argentina in Nelson on Saturday.

Flanker Sam Cane is also back in the frame after being given a week off to get over concussion symptoms. – Reuters

Wellington