Rugby: SBW returns to Crusaders' ranks for key Reds clash

After two weeks off, Sonny Bill Williams has recovered from his knee injury and is ready to play. Photo / Getty Images

Coach Todd Blackadder expects to return All Blacks second five-eighths Sonny Bill Williams to inject new enthusiasm into the Crusaders as they prepare to meet the table-topping Queensland Reds in a Super 15 match in Brisbane on Sunday.

Williams has been out of action since limping off with a knee injury at halftime in the 20-33 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein two weeks ago; last Saturday he missed the round 14 match against the Chiefs in Napier, which the Crusaders won 25-19.

"He has brought a bit of enthusiasm back. He trained really well today and is refreshed and excited," Blackadder said.

"He certainly wants to be involved in this game and that's great for us."

Williams, who is in for Ryan Crotty, is one of three changes to the Crusaders' starting XV.

All Blacks lock Brad Thorn, who played the second half of that game after Chris Jack's eye was injured, has recovered from a calf strain and Owen Franks replaces his brother Ben at tighthead prop.

Williams could hardly wait for the match on a ground he came to know during his time as a rugby league player.

"I loved playing at Suncorp back in my NRL days and am keen to get out there. It will be cool to play alongside big Brad Thorn [former Brisbane Bronco] on his old stamping ground. He's been talking it up and is ready for a big one and I want to get out and have a big one too.

"They're talking over 40,000 [crowd] already so it will be an awesome atmosphere. I love playing in the big games, but you're only as good as your last performance so I want to go out on the big stage and show again that I can play rugby."

Williams banged his upper knee in the game against the Cheetahs.

"It was an unfortunate place for it to occur. It was a bit like a cork at the top of the knee and the fluid drained from the top into the knee and I couldn't get it moving for the next couple of days.

"But I had a good run today and feel really good so it's full steam ahead."

Having lost their last three matches against the Reds, two of them pre-season games, the Crusaders have a healthy respect for the Queenslanders, who beat them 41-20 in Brisbane last year.

"They really cleaned us up last year and played really well. Possibly what we did is that we over-committed at the breakdown. We weren't releasing the tackler so we got penalised off the park by Craig Joubert," Blackadder said.

"But we're a lot wiser this year. We probably underestimated them last year when they proved to be a far better side than everybody had thought and they've continued with that really good form this year and are playing good rugby."

- NZPA