All Blacks: Williams' injury leaves selectors with dilemma

Ali Williams will be out of rugby for about four months. Photo / Getty Images

Ali Williams is facing his biggest test.

The All Black lock has played 61 internationals since his 2002 debut against England but will not add to that tally this year as he undergoes surgery on his damaged Achilles tendon.

A specialist has advised Williams he needs an operation to repair his right tendon which has troubled him since halfway through the Super 14 series. He will also have some treatment on his left shoulder. His rugby comeback will resume next season for the Blues unless he is still contemplating some sort of sabbatical.

Williams started all 15 tests last year for the All Blacks and was one of their most reliable and consistent performers. But this year has been a disaster for the 28-year-old. He missed the Blues opening games because of back trouble, played four matches then went off against the Waratahs with Achilles problems and broke down against the Hurricanes in his comeback match.

He was put on a rehab programme, picked for the All Black squad but broke down once more in training for his planned return test against Italy.

All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said the lock would be out of rugby for about four months recovering.

"It's just a case of getting on with the surgery and then the rehab so I can then get back to playing some footy," a philosophical Williams said yesterday.

Famed All Black wing John Kirwan snapped his Achilles tendon in 1989 but played another five years of test rugby while there are optimistic reports about Daniel Carter's comeback late this year from a similar injury.

Williams' exit and the injury absence of Anthony Boric with a broken toe reduced the selectors' test choices this season.

They overlooked Jason Eaton, Kevin O'Neill and Ross Filipo who had All Black experience for the domestic tests in June and introduced rookies Isaac Ross and Bryn Evans to back up Brad Thorn in the squad. That trio will be marked for continued work this season but the selectors will also want to introduce another lock/loose forward to their squad to travel to South Africa for the initial offshore tests.

Eaton will be the strongest contender.

The selectors are concerned his lineout work is not top notch as a lock but he does qualify for the utility duties filled by men such as Reuben Thorne, Angus Macdonald, Jono Gibbes and Troy Flavell.