All Blacks selector Grant Fox has backed Sonny Bill Williams to perform at his peak during the Rugby World Cup.
Speaking to Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB, Fox believes the mercurial midfielder is primed for a big tournament, having overcome a knee problem which plagued him during the 27-19 RugbyChampionship loss to Australia in Sydney.
"We all know in Sydney he didn't play very well, but he had a knee that wasn't behaving very well.
"That knee has settled remarkably and he is in great nick - in fact I've heard a couple of guys say he's been in the best nick they've ever seen him," said Fox.
With the midfield combination of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith set in stone as the first-choice combination, Williams will be battling with Malakai Fekitoa for a spot on the bench.
Many were questioning the inclusion of Williams ahead of Fekitoa in the All Blacks side to play Argentina in their Rugby World Cup opener, but Fox believes the talented code-switcher has put in all the work to be ready to contribute.
"I just saw a hit-out at Eden Park where we played one team against another before we left Auckland and he played pretty damn well so I think Sonny Bill's primed and he's on the bench so obviously he'll get some time.
"I think he's keen to make his mark, so we'll have to wait and see but certainly he's done everything he can preparation-wise since Sydney to give him every chance to play well."
Fox also admitted that the All Blacks players were prepared for the British media coverage of the haka.
"It's strange - I didn't see any stories about the Fijian Cibi or the Samoan or Tongan one, so it's just interesting that our one is targeted but that was always going to be the case."
"That's why there has been no response out of any of our guys - just a gentle smile. All we can control is our performance, there's no point engaging. We just shrug our shoulders and get on with it."
