All Blacks lock Ali Williams will have knee surgery that will keep him out of rugby for at least eight weeks.
Williams started last night's last-minute 22-19 defeat of Ireland from the bench and, although the injury is in the same knee which the 31-year-old had an operation on in the off-season, All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said it was a new injury.
"Ali developed a sore right knee over the last couple of weeks and a scan has revealed that he has a flap of loose articular cartilage which will require surgery,'' Robinson said. "He will see a surgeon this week in Auckland.
"It's obviously disappointing for Ali to have this new injury but he is expected to make a full recovery. Once he has had the surgery, we will have a clearer idea of how long he will be out of rugby but it he is expected to be out for a minimum of eight weeks.''
Chiefs loose forward Liam Messam has been brought into the All Blacks squad as cover.
