Looks like the All Blacks might have to face the reigning world champs, the Springboks, without one of their key power players this September. The word on the street is that Tamaiti Williams, their formidable loosehead prop, won’t be on the front line due to a knee surgery that’s going to bench him for a while. This news comes hot on the heels of another setback, with the up-and-coming back-rower Wallace Sititi also out of the game and headed for the operating room with an ankle issue.
Williams, who’s only 24, ripped his meniscus during the Super Rugby final—an epic showdown where his team, the Crusaders, clinched victory from the Chiefs. New Zealand Rugby spilled the beans with a statement saying, "Scans have revealed the tear," and added, "Assessment by a surgeon this morning has confirmed surgery will be required." Depending on whether Williams goes for a simple fix or opts for something more intensive, he could be looking at anywhere from six weeks to a grueling six months of recovery.
“Scans have revealed the tear,”
With Williams sidelined, George Bower has been called up as his replacement, stepping into some pretty big boots. The All Blacks' schedule isn't letting up either—they're set to clash with France in a three-Test series kicking off on July 5, in Dunedin, before moving to Wellington and finally Hamilton.
But the real test will come in September when the All Blacks host the Springboks on the 6th and 13th. It’s a face-off that's already causing rugby fans everywhere to mark their calendars, cross their fingers, and maybe knock on wood a couple of times for good measure.
As the team preps without Williams, all eyes will be on Bower to see if he can fill those scrum-capped shoes. Meanwhile, fans and foes alike are left wondering: Will the All Blacks hold their ground without their scrum powerhouse, or will this be the chink in their armor that the Springboks have been waiting for?
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Looks like the All Blacks might have to face the reigning world champs, the Springboks, without one of their key power players this September. The word on the street is that Tamaiti Williams, their formidable loosehead prop, won’t be on the front line due to a knee surgery that’s going to bench him for a while. This news comes hot on the heels of another setback, with the up-and-coming back-rower Wallace Sititi also out of the game and headed for the operating room with an ankle issue.
Williams, who’s only 24, ripped his meniscus during the Super Rugby final—an epic showdown where his team, the Crusaders, clinched victory from the Chiefs. New Zealand Rugby spilled the beans with a statement saying, "Scans have revealed the tear," and added, "Assessment by a surgeon this morning has confirmed surgery will be required." Depending on whether Williams goes for a simple fix or opts for something more intensive, he could be looking at anywhere from six weeks to a grueling six months of recovery.
“Scans have revealed the tear,”
With Williams sidelined, George Bower has been called up as his replacement, stepping into some pretty big boots. The All Blacks' schedule isn't letting up either—they're set to clash with France in a three-Test series kicking off on July 5, in Dunedin, before moving to Wellington and finally Hamilton.
But the real test will come in September when the All Blacks host the Springboks on the 6th and 13th. It’s a face-off that's already causing rugby fans everywhere to mark their calendars, cross their fingers, and maybe knock on wood a couple of times for good measure.
As the team preps without Williams, all eyes will be on Bower to see if he can fill those scrum-capped shoes. Meanwhile, fans and foes alike are left wondering: Will the All Blacks hold their ground without their scrum powerhouse, or will this be the chink in their armor that the Springboks have been waiting for?