Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Photosport
Another day and another injury blow for the All Blacks with midfielder Sonny Bill Williams having been ruled out of the series against France due to a knee injury.
The 32-year-old Williams aggravated an old injury while training with the All Blacks and scans have shown that he has a
loose piece of bone in the joint which will need surgery.
As a result, he requires surgery and the expectation is that he won't be able to train for at least four weeks. That will rule him out of the entire series, although he will assemble with the squad to continue his rehabilitation.
His loss is a blow as the selectors probably had him pencilled in to start the first test and no doubt play the bulk of the series at No 12.
The concern about his unavailability is heightened as his probable midfield partner, Ryan Crotty, is also battling as he hasn't overcome concussion symptoms he incurred playing against the Blues a few weeks ago.
