Many expected it already in Kashiwa (Jpn), but Steve Hansen preferred an experienced man like Sonny Bill Williams to Ngani Laumape among the centers for the upcoming Japanese World Cup.
A choice that has raised concerns in the house All Blacks, suggesting the immaculate Sonny place among Hansen’s “untouchables”, even 34 years old, even if he was “crushed”, even at the cost of leaving back home Laumape in a splendid shape.
But if luck helps the bold, the bad luck persecutes Sonny Bill, back from another injury that adds to the long list of recent years. Therefore World championship at risk for the center of the blues, out due to another injury, this time in the calf, occurred at the end of a training session. A bad news for Hansen’s blacks, he can’t afford to lose “his protégé” less than a week before the first world match against South Africa. So what to do?
Former World Cup match commentator Hamish McKay has publicly sparked the rumour mill, saying Williams’ withdrawal is imminent.
“I trust my source absolutely. Watch this space,” McKay told Newstalk ZB’s Martin Devlin.
“It’s more than an injury watch day … it’s a day-to-day proposition. I think we’re going to hear something break.”
McKay, the former TV3 sports anchor and rugby editor, reckoned: “How long before Ngani Lauampe is on the plane?”
For now the All Blacks have declared that Williams will remain with the group even if injured, nothing confirmed instead for the summoning of Nagani Laumape who at the moment is keeping the shape with the Manawatu in Miter Cup, for which yesterday marked two tryes.
We can only wish the best to both, even if we sincerely would be curious to see Laumape in Japan. Class 1993, 178 cm x 108 kg of power, a “mini bus” ready to make his way through the big rugby world.
Even if the biggest regret would be to have a photo with Sonny Bill in 2019 knowing he maybe is not playing among the All Blacks.
Source: NZ Herald