All Blacks lock Ali Williams' rugby season may have lasted just four minutes after hobbling out of tonight's Super 14 pre-season match between the Blues and Chiefs at Albany.
Williams is expected to undergo surgery early next week after appearing to injure the troubling achilles tendon which required an operation last July and saw him miss the entire 2009 All Blacks campaign.
Initial reports tonight suggest the injury is the same as eight months ago and could even see 28-year-old Blues forward Williams sidelined for all of 2010.
After falling awkwardly Williams being escorted from the North Harbour Stadium by two Blues medical staff, struggling to put weight on his lower right leg.
The game was less than four minutes old and will be an enormous wrench for Williams, who had trained well with the Blues for the past six weeks, had undergone a careful recovery from the injury, as well as a shoulder operation. He recently spent time in California as part of his recuperation.
If Williams is ruled out of international rugby, it will be an enormous blow to the All Blacks and their coach Graham Henry, who struggled to replace the athletic Aucklander last year. Isaac Ross was employed with mixed success through the June tests and Tri-Nations while provincial journeyman Tom Donnelly was an effective performer on the season-ending tour.
Williams' last test was in 2008, a season when he started all 15 tests.
His injury follows news that long-time locking partner Chris Jack will be sidelined for a month with a wrist injury. Jack rejoined the Crusaders this year after two years overseas.[/b]
