All Blacks: Injury ends Ali's season

All Black lock Ali Williams is out of rugby for up to four months. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks lock Ali Williams is to miss the international rugby season to have surgery on an Achilles tendon.

All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said Williams saw a specialist in Auckland yesterday and it was confirmed he would require surgery on his right achilles.

He will be out of rugby for up to four months.

"At the same time, the surgeon will take the opportunity to assess Ali's left shoulder which has some minor instability and has been troubling him for some time," Robinson said.

Williams, 28, was disappointed but philosophical about the injury.

"It's just a case of getting on with the surgery and then the rehab so I can then get back to playing some footy," he said.

Williams' Achilles troubles are a recurring problem and several attempts to rehabilitate have failed.

The 61-test veteran played more minutes than any All Black last year, starting all 15 tests and being replaced on just three occasions.

He then returned to the Blues for the Super 14, having tasted success with the 2008 Crusaders, but barely played due to injury.

A back problem delayed his start before he suffered Achilles woes in late March against the New South Wales Waratahs and again in his last game, against the Hurricanes on May 1.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said last week that Williams had found his injury problems disappointing.

"It's very frustrating for him, I feel for him. He hasn't played any rugby all year and that's what he lives for, it's a major objective of his," he said.

"It's frustrating for the team because he's a key player, he's world class and he provides a lot of extra."

- NZPA