Wynne Gray: Other Williams staying close to heart of team

Williams has been the name in everyone's notebook on this All Black tour.

Sonny Bill that is, he of the flick-pip pass, not the other bloke who last hauled on the black jersey at Twickenham in late 2008.

But it seems the other Williams, Alexander James aka Ali, has been flitting in and out of the All Black precincts on this end-of-year tour, all in the name of keeping both parties up to date on his injury recovery and how best to ensure his smooth transition to next season's Super Rugby series.

He ducked in for visits in Hong Kong and the UK around a trip to Germany to ensure he gets the best orthotics to use in his footwear once he laces up his boots again in earnest.

Apparently that will be soon, perhaps in the lower divisions in Europe as a test run before an expected return to the Blues next season.

Sensible planning, laudable, pro-active? Certainly some of those as the 61-test veteran and the All Black staff plot his comeback from two Achilles tendon operations. Probably a wise use of his time and the money spent on his All Black contract.

Williams has been sidelined often this season, staying close to the All Blacks as his rehabilitation continues. Sometimes, though, these sojourns give the impression of preferential treatment.

Is it really a good look, is it meant to put the other touring locks on notice? Or does it simply give them the feeling they will be superfluous whenever Williams shows he can play next year?

If Williams can recapture some of the form which brought him a swag of All Black caps he will no doubt give the World Cup squad a nudge. In his prime, he was picked for All Black duty though his work and behaviour during the Super series did not always merit that elevation.

The selectors used to make an exception for him because they backed themselves to extract the best from the athletic lock. That was more than two years ago. The game has changed markedly; the players as well.

You have to wonder what another former international lock like Jason Eaton, who is on the mend from long-term knee damage, thinks about the situation. Bet he would have liked to tag along and reacquaint himself with the 2010 All Black methods.

After all, in another quirky twist about this tour which was meant to replicate planning for next year's World Cup, the All Blacks still only have 29 players on tour after Sitiveni Sivivatu failed to pass a fitness test.