All Blacks v France: Tamaiti Williams ruled out of series

The issue of influential All Blacks playing through injuries in Super Rugby finals has reared its head again with Tamaiti Williams ruled out of the three test series against France.

Williams is one of the world’s leading props - capable of playing both sides of the scrum - and a bottled on starter for the All Blacks after surpassing Ethan de Groot last year.

The 24-year-old was hugely influential for the Crusaders this season, anchoring their scrum, scoring from close range and often playing big minutes to showcase his workrate and fitness.

Williams suffered a knee injury in the Crusaders comfortable quarterfinal win over the Reds in Christchurch and was then expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks.

But after the Crusaders snuck past the Blues in their semifinal victory, Williams made a miraculous recovery to start in his side’s success in the final.

Williams has now been ruled out for six to eight weeks as he requires surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the same injured knee – raising the question of whether he should have featured in the final.

His comeback for the Crusaders continues a theme in the last three years of All Blacks playing through pain in Super Rugby deciders.

In 2023, when Scott Robertson led the Crusaders to their seventh straight title, All Blacks centurion Sam Whitelock defied a serious Achilles injury to play the full match against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Much to the frustration of All Blacks coach Ian Foster at the time, Whitelock then missed several tests while he recovered.

The following year Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu surprised everyone to make a vastly quicker return from a knee injury to lead his side to their breakthrough title at Eden Park. He, too, battled an injury setback later in the year.

Naturally All Blacks want to help their sides clinch Super Rugby championships but with three headline figures pushing through pain and then being unavailable for the All Blacks, an ongoing conflict is evident.

With Williams ruled out, the All Blacks are now expected to promote Highlanders loosehead de Groot to start on his home patch in the first test against France in Dunedin on Saturday with Chiefs counterpart Ollie Norris likely to make his debut from the bench.

Crusaders prop George Bower has been called in as cover for Williams, too.

Asked whether Williams should have played the Super Rugby Pacific final, All Blacks coach Robertson said: “Well he played and we’re here now so they’re the facts.

“A little bit of cartilage was blocking his knee and he couldn’t quite straighten it so it was an immense effort from him to get through the majority of that final.

“I’ve always trusted the medical groups and the advice I’ve got. Players want to play. They want to compete. That’s the scenario at the moment.

“It’s tough he’s been in great form but he’ll rehab quickly and he’s in good hands. He’s probably the best loosehead in the world so it is a big hit.

“The good thing is we’ve got depth and people have always stood up in this environment. Ethan is experienced. Ollie Norris is a test footballer. This is why we pick them to find out. George comes in with a bit of experience as well so we’re in good stead.”

Williams’ absence is the second injury blow to Robertson’s initial 33-man squad after Wallace Sititi withdrew from the series requiring ankle surgery. He was replaced by Christian Lio-Willie.

Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson is also unavailable while he works through the HIA protocols after his head knock in the Super Rugby final defeat to the Crusaders.