Rugby: Williams happy with low-key return

Ali Williams. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks lock Ali Williams has made his first tentative steps back to rugby in a low-key second-tier English club match at Billesley Common in Mosely overnight (NZT).

Williams came on for the last 22 minutes for adopted club Nottingham, his first match since re-injuring his Achilles tendon early in a Super rugby pre-season match for the Blues nearly a year ago.

Having barely played for the last two years, 29-year-old Williams is using a short stint with Nottingham to get himself ready for the looming Super 15 rugby and, if possible, a return to test rugby.

The 61-test veteran pronounced himself happy with his first-up efforts.

"The idea is to build it up, 20 minutes, 40, 60, 80," he told The Birmingham Post.

"Rome wasn't built in a day -- as my old boy keeps telling me. I have just got to slowly build.

"It's been a hard two years, three ops all on the same leg and (today) I was nervous as."

Williams admitted there were butterflies in his stomach about the reconstructed tendon before fifth-placed Nottingham beat 11th-placed Mosely 36-12.

"There is no doubt there is a question of mental baggage but that cleared a hell of a lot of it, though, I'll get through the week and start again.

"It's a big year for me. I want to get that place back."

- NZPA