All Blacks: Time is on Williams' side

Ali Williams faces a race against time to prove his form. Photo / Getty Images

Far from panicking at the latest injury to Ali Williams, the All Black coaches believe the country's most experienced lock has ample time to force his way into World Cup contention.

Currently sidelined for at least another two, possibly three weeks by a torn hamstring, Williams is desperate to regain his All Black jersey but is facing a race against time to prove his form.

He managed four rounds before his latest setback and although Williams didn't stand out, All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen says he saw enough to believe Williams is on track and capable of reaching the end of the season in the sort of form that will make him hard to leave out of the national squad.

"All athletes who come back from Achilles' injuries, find they are not as explosive when they first return," says Hansen. "But that just takes time and Justin Marshall, who suffered an Achilles injury, showed that you can make a full recovery and be just as explosive.

"What Ali needs is time and we have plenty of that. The hamstring injury is a bit of a nuisance but he'll be back soon and it will be business as usual."

It's little surprise to hear Hansen remain positive about Williams. The 61-test lock, at his best, is a world class performer with the experience and leadership to be a vital part of the All Black machinery.

In Williams' absence other contenders such as Sam Whitelock, Tom Donnelly and Anthony Boric have grown in stature, but none can match Williams for experience or overall contribution.

Having not played a test since 2008, it is sometimes hard to remember that Williams is a towering aerial force, with the ability to play wide yet clear bodies at the breakdown.

Hansen, who carried out the detailed technical assessment of Williams' work in the opening four rounds, says there was much to be encouraged by.

"What we could see was that Ali has lost nothing as a scrummager. That part of his game has been superb. His lineout work has been as good as it was before he was injured and his brain is still working as it was before."

The only part of his game in need of technical modification is his work at the breakdown, where he has been bending from the hips rather than at the knees. Hansen, though, is confident that little correction will be easily enough made once Williams has more game time under his belt.

The hardest part of Williams' journey back to the national team will be managing his emotions, particularly through the period of his existing injury.

Hansen and the other national coaches were in Auckland this week and met with the Blues players. The point was stressed to Williams that however much frustration he might feel at not being able to play, he can't afford to rush back and risk aggravating his hamstring tear.

Patience has to be the virtue Williams most values over the next month, as the selectors are not going to be judging him now or midway through the competition.

"Our expectation is that he will really be hitting his straps by the end of the competition," says Hansen. "We think he could be flying by then and certainly feel he'll get better and better each time he plays.

"I think the really big difference with Ali now is that he realises how desperate he is to get back. He has really missed it and he wants it badly. But he has to control his emotions. He can't rush back. He has good medical support and good people around him, so that shouldn't be a problem."

The All Blacks have managed to cope admirably without Williams and could easily do so again if the big lock can't recover his form in time.

But the coaching panel share Williams' desire to get him to the World Cup. Williams is a player who has delivered for them since they took over in 2004. He has become a leader of others and brings a different personality to the All Black camp.

Williams has had a number of off-field issues, but has always fallen into line with the All Blacks and has also tended to produce his best form in the test arena.

The coaching panel have kept Williams as involved as they could during the past two years and it was on their suggestion that the 29-year-old, who missed much of 2009 and all of 2010 because of separate Achilles injuries, made a soft pre-season return playing for Nottingham.