The Blues have confirmed today that Sonny Bill Williams will be sidelined for up to six weeks, with the cross-code star out of rugby action due to an ongoing knee injury.
Williams, 33, is expecting to undergo knee surgery, which will be a major setback with his ambitions to go to his third Rugby World Cup campaign this year in Japan.
The All Blacks midfielder suffered the injury against the Stormers last month, while setting up a try for first-five Otere Black.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald said Williams will be a huge loss for the Auckland Super Rugby franchise.
"It's a big blow, I feel sorry for him. It's unfortunate for him," MacDonald told reporters this afternoon in Auckland.
"He obviously landed on it awkwardly and caused some damage there."
MacDonald believes Williams will bounce back from the injury and will no doubt have his name in the mix for the All Blacks’ squad selection for the RWC in September.
"Whatever he decides to do, he puts his mind to it and he sort of makes happen. If he still wants to play later on, he's the sort of guy that you would never write off," MacDonald said.
"He's pretty determined guy, this year he wants to make the World Cup squad and be a part of that obviously.
"He's pretty driven to make sure he recovers well from this injury and gets back on the field."
Williams is unavailable to attend the All Blacks’ foundation day’ in Wellington next Monday.
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