Rugby: SBW free to play for All Blacks

Tomorrow the All Blacks will ramp up their preparations for their first match against Australia, but whether Sonny Bill Williams is involved still remains to be seen. Photo / Getty Images.

Sonny Bill Williams' availability for the All Blacks opening two matches of the Rugby Championship has been officially confirmed.

Williams comes into the All Blacks squad for the back-to-back Bledisloe Cup matches as an injury replacement for Conrad Smith.

Williams did not train with the squad in Auckland on Friday, apparently due to a medical examination ordered by his new Japanese club Panasonic.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: "It's what we expected, but we knew it was going to take a bit of time, and we are now all looking forward to preparing for Saturday's challenge."

- HERALD ONLINE

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