Rugby: Sonny Bill still a chance for opener

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams' injured calf bone is healing well and he may still be a chance to play in the Crusaders' first Super 15 rugby match against the Blues on February 19.

Williams suffered a stress fracture to his left fibula late in the All Blacks' end of year tour to the United Kingdom last year.

Despite that, he still fought and beat Scott Lewis in a boxing fight on the Gold Coast at the weekend.

Williams saw All Black doctor Deb Robinson and Crusaders doctor Martin Swan in Christchurch yesterday and in a statement today they said the fibula was healing well and the midfield back would be on a graduated running programme from today.

They were expected to expand on that a press conference this afternoon.

Williams had said after beating Lewis in a unanimous decision in their six-round fight that he hoped to be fit for the match against the Blues. However, he was likely to miss the remaining pre-season games, against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday night and the Highlanders in Oamaru on February 11.

"He is still a possibility for the first (Super) game," a Crusaders spokesman said today.

- NZPA