Richie McCaw: Ali Williams keen as ever

KEVIN STENT/Sunday Star Times

INJURY RUN: Ali Williams, pictured after injuring his achilles tendon in last year's Super 14, will miss this year's tournament with a new injury to the same tendon.

MICHAEL BRADLEY

MATES: Richie McCaw spoke about his friend Ali Williams' predicament at the 2010 Super 14 launch.

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Ali Williams' World Cup dream is stronger than ever, with the injured lock reaffirming his All Blacks commitment to skipper Richie McCaw.

Williams had surgery last Monday on a second rupture to the same Achilles tendon, an injury that must place a question mark over his future.

But the major setback doesn't appear to have dented the second-rower's healthy air of positivity.

McCaw, a good friend of Williams, spoke to the Blues player in the wake of his latest surgery and said there was no lack of desire from the talented tall timber.

"He said to me he's pretty keen - he still has that desire to keep playing - he wants to play for the All Blacks and the Blues and hopefully everything goes well over the next six months or so that he can.

"He's a big part of New Zealand rugby that we are perhaps missing at the moment."

While McCaw was delighted to hear of Williams' high hopes he did detect an understandable frustration from the Aucklander's predicament that will rule him out of the entire Super 14 and possibly the test season as well.

"You have to feel for the guy. He's a fellow that wears his heart on his sleeve. He put a lot into getting himself ready to play this season and obviously he has been cut short," McCaw said.

Both the Blues and the All Blacks are keen to utilise Williams' skills and leadership while he is out of action.

Both have spoken of involving him in their coaching setups.

Blues doctor Stephen Kara attended Williams' surgery and gave hope that Williams could be back playing this year.

"Ali suffered a distal Achilles tendon rupture (the tendon had torn off the bone) which is a new injury to the area," Kara explained.

"The previous injury was repairing damaged tissue inside the tendon whereas Williams' latest injury was a complete tear through the tendon. This provides a good surgical repair and the surgeon has screwed the tendon back onto the bone.

"The prognosis is guarded at this stage as it is too early to tell. Recovery time is generally six months but each individual heals differently."

The 29-year-old had established himself as a world class lock before his initial Achilles problem last year.

The last of his 61 tests was the 2008 Grand Slam clincher against England at Twickenham.

He has played the last two World Cups (2003 and 2007) and is desperate to be involved in next year's tournament in his home city.

The Blues search for Williams' replacement in their 2010 squad continues in their final preseason match against the Crusaders in Motueka on Thursday.

North Harbour 22-year-old Filo Paulo gets his big chance. He moves up from the wider training group to start against the Crusaders, partnering Kurtis Haiu in the second row.

The Blues have no specialist locking cover in their reserves tomorrow.

- © Fairfax NZ News