KEY POINTS:
Ultimately, the blame for Ali Williams' problems lie with himself. As a professional sportsman he had obligations to the Blues and those who employ him.
We are not privy to details of his offences but when Williams' teammates lost faith, trust and understanding in the lock and thought his behaviour was damaging enough to ban him from the side, then Williams was at fault.
It was a remarkable censure as rugby players still shield their mates no matter what mischief they have been involved in.
Why did it take so long and so many episodes of misconduct before there was some action? And that must be where some blame should lie with the Blues management and the All Blacks when Williams was returned to the Super 14.
It was all very well for the Blues to start their players' leadership programme this season but they have a manager, Ant Strachan, who is the link to the board and responsible for the control of the team. This is his fourth year in charge, he should have some idea about Williams' modus operandi by now.
The lock's brinkmanship obviously went too far. The Blues' admission of a number of recalcitrant episodes and continual defiance of team protocol painted a picture of persistent offending. If that was for public consumption you can only imagine the full scale of misbehaviour.
Williams could be an All Black great, but that potential is cramped by a restless, disruptive attitude. He is an engaging rogue but players and coaches have got sick of his impudence.
When the lock was returned to the Blues after three months of conditioning with the All Black squad, it was evident there would be issues, concerns which should have been aired then between Williams, David Nucifora and Graham Henry.
Blues captain Troy Flavell and Greg Rawlinson were playing strongly as a locking combination, the Blues were travelling well in the competition and there was no reason for Nucifora to start another lock, even one as good as Williams, who was not match fit and dialled into the squad's wavelength.
The transition needed to be sorted. It might have helped if Henry had explained to Nucifora that half an hour each game was sufficient for Williams' national service programme. He could also have mentioned that strategy to the lock and told him any disruptive behaviour would not be tolerated.
Perhaps Henry delivered those thoughts although Williams' subsequent conduct does not bear that out. His attitude and play reeked of frustration, of someone who did not have a professional attitude and had not been brought into line by the management.
Williams has always responded to John Mitchell or Henry because the All Blacks are the rugby pinnacle in New Zealand. When he was flicked from the All Blacks, only then did he produce for Auckland because it was a means to his test goal.
The Blues obviously do not carry that prestige for Williams, perhaps he is unruly and complacent because his All Blacks selection is guaranteed.
