All Blacks: SBW won't face Aussies says Kahui

Sonny Bill Williams won't face the Wallabies according to Richard Kahui. Photo / Getty Images

Injured All Black Richard Kahui predicts Sonny Bill Williams will be waiting a few more weeks for a taste of test rugby.

Kahui, who is sidelined after undergoing his third career shoulder injury, believes rugby league convert and Canterbury second five-eighth Williams won't face Australia in Hong Kong this weekend.

The Waikato centre told Radiosport, following a trend from past tours, Williams won't pull on the All Blacks jersey until the team's third game of their end of year tour against Scotland.

And even then it will be off the bench.

"Just going off what they've done in the past I think they'll (All Blacks selectors) leave him out of the 22 completely (this week). Just let him get a feel of what it's like to be an All Black for a test week," Kahui told Radiosport this morning.

"I remember I didn't even sit on the bench. It was three weeks before I got my first game. They tend to let you feel what it's like to be in the test arena then two or three weeks later give you a wee taste off the bench."

"I'm not a selector, I'm not a coach but they'll ease him into it. They definitely won't just throw him in."

All Blacks schedule

The All Blacks side to face the Wallabies will be named tomorrow with Williams competing against test incumbents Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu along with the returning Isaia Toeava for a starting position.

Kahui, who plans to be fit for the start of the Super Rugby next February, believes Williams is test ready despite having played one season in the ITM Cup.

"It might be a bit of a learning curve for him but I think he's in the right environment.

"The guys he's going to train with every day have been there done that but in saying that it's not like he was an average ITM Cup player either. He was head and shoulders above the guys he played."

- Herald online