Wales’ Williams out of All Blacks test

Martyn Williams

CARDIFF - An understrength Wales rugby team have taken another hit, with key flanker Martyn Williams almost certain to miss Sunday's (NZT) test against the All Blacks after the death of his mother.

Wales manager Alan Phillips said the team were preparing for the test without Williams, whose mother Julie died on Saturday after a long illness. Her funeral is on Thursday.

"I spoke to Martyn yesterday and he's pretty doubtful," Phillips told the South Wales Echo newspaper today.

"It is safest at this point to presume he is not available. I don't envisage seeing him much this week."

It was the second family tragedy to hit Williams, whose brother died of cancer four years ago.

Williams, 30 and with 54 tests to his name, was named player of the Six Nations and toured with the Lions this year, appearing in the third test in Auckland off the bench.

It brings to five the number of unavailable frontliners for Wales coach Mike Ruddock, who names his team to face the All Blacks tomorrow.

Already ruled out with injury are loose forward Ryan Jones, midfield backs Gavin Henson and Tom Shanklin, and prop Gethin Jenkins who all toured New Zealand with the Lions this year.

Also in doubt is Lions halfback Dwayne Peel with an ankle injury.

Ruddock today called Llanelli flanker Daffyd Jones into his squad for Williams.

Some rare good news for Ruddock, who coached Wales to the Grand Slam and Six Nations title last season, was the fitness of Lions first five-eighth Stephen Jones.

Jones, also battling injury in recent weeks, had a solid match for his French club Clermont Auvergne in their Heineken Cup win over Welsh side Ospreys yesterday, and has declared himself fit to oppose All Blacks No 10 Daniel Carter at Millennium Stadium.

Veteran loose forward Colin Charvis is also expected to make Ruddock's 22 after missing the Six Nations due to injury.

- NZPA