Latest news with #TamaitiWilliams
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Patience pays off for recalled All Black George Bower
George Bower. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ It's been three years since George Bower last played for the All Blacks and he concedes there were times he thought he may never make it back to the national side. The prop initially missed out on selection in the All Blacks squad to play France, but was called in after his Crusaders teammate Tamaiti Williams was ruled out of the three match series with injury. Bower is on the bench for Saturday's third and final test in Hamilton and is likely to get on the field for his 23rd test. "I'm very excited. It's my first time in 2025 pulling on the black jersey, but also my first time in a long time," Bower said. "My last test was in 2022 against England over there. It's been three years of grind and hard work to get back into the team. I'm super grateful to be back here and hopefully getting an opportunity on Saturday." George Bower last played for the All Blacks in 2022. Photo: Christiaan Kotze / Bower describes himself as an optimist, but he concedes he had the odd negative thought about his prospects of earning an All Blacks recall. "Every now and then, like everyone else, it does creep in," Bower said. "Every time you're in this environment, you're never certain when you're going to wear the jersey again. So I cherish that (being in the All Blacks) a lot more now. I'm definitely going to cherish that moment if I do get that opportunity to play. "Those moments (of doubt) did creep in, but it was important just to keep ticking away, to keep having faith and trust in my skills and strengths." Bower did entertain going offshore, but said his desire to play for the All Blacks again kept him in Aotearoa. "There was always a focus for me to try and get back into the squad," he said. "There was opportunities where I could've gone overseas, but there was a stronger pull here in New Zealand to stay home and contribute what I can here in New Zealand rugby." Bower's next ambition is to be named in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad. The annual four-nation tournament kicks off on 17 August, with New Zealand's opening match in Argentina. "That is another goal, to get named in that next squad. First things first I've got to put on that jersey and do what I can to help the team perform. Then the rest will take care of itself." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Tamaiti Williams on anxiety, and fatherhood
All Black Tamaiti Williams is in recovery mode after having surgery to fix a meniscus injury at the end Super Rugby season. The tighthead prop played a leading role for the Canterbury Crusaders in a final that saw the black-and-reds return to Super Rugby supremacy after a disappointing 2024. While he rehabs his knee, Williams and other rugby stars are opening up on their physical and mental health challenges, as part of a campaign by All Blacks' partner, Bupa. Tamaiti Williams speaks of his experience of anxiety, particularly with the premature birth of his now 15-month-old daughter, Kaea. Tamaiti's partner Alice Weir had a difficult pregnancy with pre-eclampsia. Kaea was born 3 months early - and then had a long period of hospital stays. New Zealand's Tamaiti Williams reacts after South Africa won the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final. Photo: AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA
The South African
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
All Blacks lose injured prop for France Test series
New Zealand prop Tamaiti Williams was on Monday ruled out of the three-Test series against France with a knee injury that will require surgery. It is the second setback for the All Blacks in a matter of days, with rising back-row star Wallace Sititi also sidelined and needing an operation for an ankle issue. Williams sustained a torn meniscus during the recent Super Rugby final, where his team, the Crusaders, beat the Chiefs. 'Scans have revealed the tear,' New Zealand Rugby said. 'Assessment by a surgeon this morning has confirmed surgery will be required.' George Bower has been brought into the squad to replace him. New Zealand face France in Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton, with the first Test on July 5. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks countdown: ‘The goal is to play everyone'
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 5 July Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Scott Robertson is intending to use all of his available squad plus injury replacements for the three test series with France. The season opens this Saturday in front of a sold out Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and while the expectation is that he will name an experienced side on Thursday, all six new players will see the field in the next three weeks. "That's the art of it isn't it? You know, like, you want to give everyone a possible go," said Robertson in Auckland when asked about how he will manage his squad. "I've said look there's my plan to you know but we don't want to be held…on it because things do happen. But the goal is to play everyone, and you want to get some combinations, cohesion. That is our advantage at the moment. If we if we make it that way with guys that have played footy together, and then you get the balance of how many changes over the series." Prop Ollie Norris, hooker Brodie McAlister, lock Fabian Holland, loose forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Christian Lio-Willie, and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai are all in line to become test players after strong Super Rugby Pacific seasons. Du'Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: Michael Bradley/ActionPress However, the news isn't as great for prop Tamaiti Williams , who will require surgery on his knee. The injury will keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks, a big blow for the powerful All Black front row rotation. Williams injured the knee against the Reds in the Crusaders' play-off match against the Reds, however returned to play in the final a fortnight later. "It's tough, you know, he's obviously been in great form. But he'll rehab quickly and he's in good hands," said Robertson. The All Black coach stopped short of addressing whether or not Williams should have played the final, which the Crusaders won 19-12 over the Chiefs. "Well he played and we're here right now. So they're the facts." Fellow Crusaders George Bower has come into the squad as injury cover and looks set to resume his test career after last playing for the All Blacks in 2022. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter Robertson said that while France have sent an understrength team, the All Blacks still had plenty to play for. They have lost to the French three times in a row over the last four years and haven't beaten them since 2018. "One thing with the French is they've got depth. (Coach Fabien Galthié)'s created depth previously over the last six years that he's had the squad. All those young, exciting players that've come through, French rugby's in good stead, in a good position." Robertson is expecting a tough battle when the series begins. "This is when they're probably at the most dangerous, when they're underestimated, aren't they? It's quite nice that (the media) tell the story, that they're depleted and all that, and then they get their backs up and then we get a ferocious French team."
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Injured prop Tamaiti Williams withdraws from the New Zealand rugby squad to play France
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Prop Tamaiti Williams has withdrawn from New Zealand's three-test series against France, the second injury loss from the squad revealed by All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson only a week ago. Williams has a knee injury and follows backrower Wallace Sititi, who withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury. Both players will require surgery.
