Rugby: Williams exiled to the bench

Ali Williams. Photo / Getty Images.

Self-appraisal is a dangerous weapon. All Black lock Ali Williams reckoned he was playing like "shit" a few weeks ago and, finally, the Blues staff have agreed.

Williams has made little impact in six Super rugby outings this season and admitted he was struggling to find the reset button after the highs of the World Cup campaign.

The Blues staff have concurred, benching the veteran of 73 tests and 91 Super rugby matches with two-game rookie Liaki Moli asked to front instead for tomorrow's game against the Sharks at Eden Park.

Williams' relegation follows test halfback Piri Weepu's demotion to the bench as coach Pat Lam searches for some trigger to reignite his side's stuttering season.

"Ali has played every game, started every game and he is working himself back to some really good rugby and bits and pieces," Lam said.

"But we need some fresh legs and I think Ali coming off the bench will give us that leadership at crucial times at the end there. But certainly with Filo [Paulo] and Liaki [Moli], we have young guys who have been pushing hard at training and when they got the opportunity last week they brought a lot of energy and we are going to need that and Ali will bring that off the bench," the coach said.

Halfback Weepu would get time from the bench but he did not suit the starting plan with Alby Mathewson once more preferred to begin the game in the No 9 jersey.

There was no growing concern in the squad, Lam said, about Weepu's lack of fitness. He had a good break after the World Cup and his work ethic could not be faulted once he turned up at the Blues.

His contribution among the team on issues like strategy were strong and the bottom line was that he was fitter than he was and was working hard to improve further. Giving everything to his training and his team was all you could ask from any member of the Blues, Lam said.

Weepu was doing extra training and while his condition was still not quite where the Blues staff wanted it, he had improved steadily since his arrival.

"It took me eight years to get to where I was last year and I enjoyed my time in my break," Weepu said.

"Obviously, I was a bit disappointed coming back the way I did but I am not looking backwards any more."

He was out of shape when he fronted for his new franchise in February and was oblivious to much of the continuing criticism.

"I just have to worry about myself and what I can control and if people want to make comments that's fine, that's the way it is. As I said, I am disappointed at the way I came back and I am continually moving forward."

The Blues were tight, despite their tough start to the season, they had not lost any respect for one another and he would do everything he could to help the side.

Blues skipper Keven Mealamu told Radio Sport he was disappointed in Weepu's condition at the start of the Super 15.

"From the team's point of view, he's a player we could definitely do with out there. We're all professionals here, we shouldn't turn up in that sort of shape."

Mealamu also backed his coach and said the Blues wanted to show that support with an improved showing tomorrow.