Sonny Bill feels heat
● All Blacks player must up game in England
Sonny Bill Williams has been given a tacit message from the All Blacks coaches as the world champions prepare for their clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday – they expect a bit more from him.
At his best, Williams provides the All Blacks with huge momentum in midfield but his form has not been outstanding this year and younger rivals for a spot in the centres are pushing him close.
“Sonny has had the least rugby and is probably still finding his top form,” assistant coach Ian Foster told reporters in London.
“I think that it is a fair thing to say. Our midfield now is jumping out of their skin. The last two weeks we’ve probably seen the energy levels and work-rate in that group as good as it’s been all year.
“The other ones, whenever they have gone out, have done a really good job.”
Beset by numerous injuries, twice World Cup winner Williams, 33, played just six games for the Auckland Blues and has appeared in four Tests so far this year – lasting 80 minutes in just one of those.
He is expected to be given a start against England. His likely centre partner Jack Goodhue has been arguably the revelation of New Zealand’s season.
Ngani Laumape also put his hand up with an outstanding display, which included a hattrick of tries, for a second string All Blacks side in the 69-31 thrashing of Japan last weekend.