Rugby: Williams in line for season start

Coaches (from left) Jamie Joseph (Highlanders), Todd Blackadder (Crusaders), Mark Hammett (Hurricanes), Ian Foster (Chiefs) and Pat Lam (Blues) at Eden Park yesterday. Photo / Richard Robinson

Estimates from the Blues suggest damaged lock Ali Williams could be ready to start the new Super Rugby series.

That appraisal may be more optimistic than realistic but coach Pat Lam thought the 61-test All Black was "in good nick" the last time he saw him going through his rehabilitation from his latest Achilles tendon surgery.

All Black doctor Deb Robinson and physiotherapist Pete Gallagher had been monitoring the lock's recovery and he had been checking in with them a number of times on their current trip to Hong Kong and Europe.

"We are targeting round one with him," Lam said. "He is making really good progress. He is right on schedule but if he misses round one [against the Crusaders] then we go to Africa and he will be back after that."

Williams is one of several injured players named in the 32-strong Blues group, a list which forced Lam and his selectors to reinforce their forwards.

"On paper the team looks very strong, it has good depth and the experience is right up there but the medical staff will be working overtime to make sure we come up to scratch," Lam said.

Former All Black Brad Mika had been playing club rugby in Japan and just a few weeks after being signed to the Blues he had torn his knee ligaments with his best forecast return in round four or five.

That sort of drama with Luke Braid and Liaki Moli also injured, meant some selection adjustments while most of the group's potential All Blacks would be rested for several chunks in the programme. At best they would be available for 14 out of the 16 matches.

All Black hooker Keven Mealamu would captain the squad, an appointment unaffected by his four-week suspension for headbutting England captain Lewis Moody last weekend.

The Blues had a tough start to the new series, hosting the Crusaders on February 19 before heading to games against the Sharks and Lions in South Africa and the Force on the way home.

"It is very important to make a good start in this series and we have been set a tough start," said Lam.

On the same night the Chiefs start their campaign, away to the Brumbies in Canberra.

Coach Ian Foster likes the depth in the squad for his final campaign. "Some positions we have a bit of growing to do and some players are going to have to grow up very quickly at Super level but they will do it," he said.

Former All Black lock Isaac Ross had some strengths the Chiefs needed in the middle of the lineout.

"We have struggled in that area and he is a ball-playing lock who has some good skills and in the last three weeks, played very well in the ITM Cup."

The Chiefs had a favourable draw with no lengthy periods away from home. There were different challenges though especially with the home and away fixtures with the other New Zealand franchises.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said one of his selection aims had been to "future-proof our depth. For example we have three All Black props so we thought we would pick up a young prop [Nicholas Barrett] from Southland.

"For the last two years I have not been satisfied with the midfield. It was too light, teams could just play through us but now we can play a power game, a direct game or shift it. We wanted to have that variety and I think we have."

With Sonny Bill Williams, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty and Adam Whitelock able to fill the midfield outside Daniel Carter, it is hard to argue against that viewpoint.