Sonny Bill Williams named in All Blacks squad
Sonny Bill Williams named in All Blacks squad
- From: AP
- October 17, 2010 5:05PM
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SELECTED: Sonny Bill Williams, pictured in action for French rugby club Toulon, has been named in the All Blacks squad for the tour of Britain. Source: Supplied
RUGBY league convert Sonny Bill Williams has been named in the All Blacks rugby squad to tour Britain in November, the only newcomer in the 30-man party.
Williams, who defected from Australia's National Rugby League in 2008 to play rugby for French club Toulon, turned down multimillion dollar offers to stay in France to pursue his dream of earning an All Blacks jersey.
The giant midfield back has produced a series of strong performances for Canterbury province in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship in recent weeks to gain national selection for the first time.
Hooker Hikawera Elliott, who played his only previous All Blacks match against the Irish side Munster in 2008, has been recalled, as has veteran flanker Daniel Braid who recently played Super 14 rugby in Australia for the Queensland Reds.
Braid, whose father Gary was an All Blacks lock, played the most recent of his four Tests for New Zealand against Australia in Sydney in 2008.
Scrumhalf Albie Mathewson has won the chance to add to his one Test by taking the place of veteran Piri Weepu, who broke his ankle while playing for Wellington in a national championship match on Saturday.
Weepu has been an integral part of All Blacks teams in recent times for his ability to play scrumhalf and flyhalf and to kick goals.
Winger Hosea Gear and flanker Liam Messam - who won gold medals as members of the New Zealand Sevens team at this month's Commonwealth Games - have both won recalls, as have flyhalf Stephen Donald, scrumhalf Andy Ellis and centre Isaia Toeava.
Toeava only recently returned after hip surgery while hooker Andrew Hore has been sidelined since May when he dislocated his shoulder.
Star flyhalf Dan Carter has reclaimed his place after missing the last match of this season's Tri-Nations tournament because of ankle surgery. Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is also back after a shoulder operation.
Fullback Israel Dagg, hooker Corey Flynn, center Richard Kahui, utility Luke McAlister, Weepu and lock Ali Williams were not considered because of injuries.
"Regarding the make-up of the touring squad, we feel that we have got a very good rugby squad, well led by some very experienced All Blacks, and we are excited by the challenges that we have ahead of us,'' coach Graham Henry said.
The members have a cumulative total of 972 Test caps while captain Richie McCaw has played 89 Test.
The New Zealanders are unbeaten in nine Tests this season and Henry said their focus was to continue developing their game.
"We are playing top quality teams on this tour, starting with Australia in Hong Kong, and it's important that we make continual improvements to our game to stay ahead of the opposition,'' he said.
New Zealand play Australia in Hong Kong on Oct 30, England in London on Nov 7, Scotland in Edinburgh on Nov 14, Ireland in Dublin on Nov. 21 and Wales in Cardiff on Nov. 28.
NZ SQUAD
Forwards: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Tom Donnelly, Hikawera Elliot, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Samuel Whitelock, Tony Woodcock. Backs: Andy Ellis, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Alby Mathewson, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Josevata Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Sonny Bill Williams.
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