Rugby: SBW to sit out season?

Reports across the Tasman suggest Sonny Bill Williams could miss the rest of the Super season. Photo / Getty

The Chiefs are scrapping with the Waratahs and Brumbies to hold their place in the Super 15 finals.

Perhaps that explains the latest theory from across the Ditch that Sonny Bill Williams will sit out the rest of the series to make sure he is in top condition for the All Blacks test programme.

The Daily Telegraph floated the idea as the Super 15 headed into its final two rounds before the playoffs.

The Brumbies play the Force tonight and the Waratahs meet the Cheetahs in South Africa on Sunday, with the Chiefs visit to Brisbane sandwiched in between tomorrow.

Williams has been troubled with a back injury for the last few weeks, a problem the Telegraph attributes to the midfield back's workload in the last few years when he has mixed league and rugby with his boxing interests.

"We understand All Blacks officials are keen to preserve one of their most important players," the paper said.

It then suggested Williams would sit out the rest of the season to rehab his back injury so there was no chance of his back injury recurring.

They reasoned Williams was "crucial" to the All Blacks chances of retaining the World Cup and the selectors were nervous after injuries removed Aaron Cruden and Patrick Tuipulotu for the season.

What the paper overlooked was the form of Ma'a Nonu who is the senior second five eighths and the other possible backup from Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa or Daniel Carter.