Sonny Bill Williams has barged another door down in his remarkable career, earning an instant recall to the All Blacks’ team.
Williams will start at inside centre against England at Twickenham on Saturday, lining up outside Aaron Cruden who earned the nod for the strongly contested No10 jersey. The former Chiefs team-mates are among four starting players retained from last week’s 74-6 demolition of the United States in Chicago. The others are fullback Israel Dagg and No8 Kieran Read.
Williams was influential in that game, scoring two tries and proving he needed little time to adjust back to the 15-man code after two NRL seasons. The 29-year-old was initially expected to take small steps on this tour but he has shunted Malakai Fekitoa out of the team for the biggest game of New Zealand’s four-Test tour.
The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Fekitoa has endured a heavy workload this year for a young player and he wants to see if Williams can build on last week’s performance.
“We think Sonny brings something pretty unique. We’ve seen him against lesser opposition so we need to see him against quality opposition,” Hansen said. “If he can do what he did the week before, it’d be good.”
Williams has thrived in the All Blacks environment since earning his rapid international recall, less than a month after finishing at the Sydney Roosters.
Hansen says Williams is in his natural sport after having felt duty-bound to sign his Roosters contract in 2012, honouring a handshake agreement. “His love is rugby. He really loves the game and he feels he has more freedom playing it,” Hansen said. “He’s got the chance to express himself across the park.”
Hansen says injury-prone Dan Carter’s 30 late minutes against the US were impressive given his limited appearances this year. However, he hadn’t played enough to warrant facing England. The decision between Cruden and Beauden Barrett, who started the last three major Tests at No10, was tougher. Hansen says Cruden warrants another start after impressing in Chicago while Barrett’s speed makes him a potent bench force.
There were few other surprises in an experienced squad. Jerome Kaino is recalled at blindside flank after missing the last two Tests with foot bruising. Liam Messam is on the reserves bench while fellow-flanker Sam Cane wasn’t considered for the bench after injuring his back at training on Tuesday. Cane is expected to be fit for consideration for next week’s Test against Scotland.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Messam, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ryan Crotty.
