Rugby: Williams passes his first Blues test

Ali Williams. Photo / Dean Purcell

Just a few kilometres down the road from the birthplace of the nation, Ali Williams was attempting a rugby re-birth of sorts.

His Blues side were too strong for the Hurricanes at Kerikeri yesterday, despite being outscored four tries to three, winning 33-22.

It was the All Black lock's first game back on New Zealand soil for 12 months. Williams has endured two painful years of rehabilitation from Achilles injuries, the last and most serious coming during last summer's pre-season.

That match against the Chiefs in Albany was played in oven-like conditions not dissimilar to the Kerikeri Domain and it was a world away from Nottingham, where Williams made his first tentative steps back into competitive rugby during the Christmas period.

The 29-year-old Aucklander got through what could euphemistically be described as 40 minutes of incident-free rugby.

"I came off and thought, 'holy s***, what the hell is going on'," Williams said. "It was that bad. But 10 minutes later here I am and I've got another challenge next week."

Usually a paragon of positivity, Williams admits there have been some dark days during his extended rehabilitation.

"It's only natural to get down here and there. It's not bad to get down, but you've got to use it and get back up."

He's learnt that playing rugby is not like riding a bike, but still has few doubts he will return to his best.

"Generally it's there when I'm not under pressure, but under pressure in a game is when it's a bit shaky, but we'll get there. I can't expect miracles.

"I've got to go right back to basics: tackle technique, lineout jumping, scrums, positional play. I've got to get right back to basics to get good, but we've got time and I've got a coach [Pat Lam] whose prepared to work with me, so it's good."

Williams did not look like a 61-test veteran but that's what you get when the last time you pulled the black jersey on was September 2008.

It would not be unfair to say his performance paled in comparison to some other locks on display.

His teammate Anthony Boric looked sharp as did rejuvenated Hurricane Jason Eaton who looks like he has spent more time at the gym than at the beach this summer.

As the players broke for three-quarter time, Williams went to the changing rooms, his right ankle weighed down by a big bag of ice but a smile on his face.

"The main thing was he got through the game," said Lam.

"My expectations for him were low."

Which was probably just as well.