Rugby: Williams out for the season

Ali Williams grimaces in agony as a medic attends to his re-ruptured Achilles' tendon. The injury will keep him out of rugby for at least another six months. Photo / Getty Images

It took less than four minutes last night for Ali Williams' surgically repaired Achilles tendon to rupture again, forcing the lock out of rugby for at least six months and probably closer to 12 months.

Williams was looking to join a ruck in the Blues pre-season hit-out against the Chiefs but did not make it that far, collapsing in a heap on the North Harbour Stadium turf. The 61-test veteran was in obvious agony as he left the field supported by medical staff.

Blues' doctor Stephen Kara quickly confirmed a ruptured Achilles, just below the scar tissue from his previous surgery midway through last year. He will undergo surgery early next week.

Williams confirmed it was not a contact injury, saying it occurred when he changed direction.

"I knew what it was as soon as it happened. As you would expect I'm absolutely gutted."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he was "devastated" for Williams.

"He's distraught about it," Henry said. "It's devastating for him, but he's a positive guy and he's already talking about having another crack at it."

The tendon injury first struck in March when he was playing for the Blues and medical staff initially tried to manage the problem through rest and rehabilitation. However he aggravated the injury during All Blacks training for the June tests against France and underwent surgery.

Williams was last night said to be inconsolable as he was delivered the prognosis. Seen as an important cog in Henry's World Cup machine, the 28-year-old will have effectively missed two years of top-level rugby before next year's Super 15, although, if you're the glass-half-full type, you could say he'll be well rested.

Henry said even at this early stage he was not so worried about the time Williams will have spent away from the game.

"He's a world-class player and you can't keep class down," Henry said.

"The big thing is he gets this right. I feel so sorry for him but he's so positive. He'll be back. There's no real logic for why it keeps happening."

Williams' injury will put even more emphasis on the ageing legs of Brad Thorn and could open the possibility of a return to the international fold for Chris Jack.

The prodigal Cantabrian is having three weeks off to rehabilitate a wrist injury but has the type of experience and nous required for international rugby. Also chasing a locking spot will be an eager-to-impress Isaac Ross whose confident start to test rugby was derailed somewhat when he was left out of the November Northern Hemisphere tour with instructions to bulk up. Tom Donnelly, Anthony Boric, Bryn Evans and Jason Eaton have all had time in the All Blacks of late, while Craig Clarke and Michael Paterson await an opportunity.

Henry said while it was pleasing to have some depth in the second row, now was not the time for him to be thinking ahead.

"At the moment it's all about Ali," he said.

Following the Williams horror show, the match won by the Blues 31-21, seemed like a bit of an afterthought.

Played over four 20-minute quarters in ideal cricket conditions, the cagey affair opened up in the second half as attacking inspiration proved too much for defensive perspiration.

"The physicality was right up there," said coach Pat Lam.

The coach was also devastated over his broken lock, saying it was "a massive loss". While Williams' experience and leadership will be missed, the injury could prove to be a good test of the team's culture.

Lam said he was also pleased with how his team was adjusting to the new breakdown law interpretation.

"It's still a little bit messy there on the defensive line ... but there is a genuine focus on the attacking team and that is good."

Stephen Brett, who will be the focus of much attention when the season starts, looked slick for the most part and played a big role in a Benson Stanley second-half try. However there will be real concern over some ordinary goalkicking.

For the Chiefs, they will lick their wounds before their final pre-season hit-out at Rotorua next Friday.

The Hurricanes scored four tries to one in beating the Brumbies 26-5 at Porirua last night.