Williams to launch bid for All Blacks return

Former All Blacks lock Ali Williams begins his quest to regain his international place in earnest when starting in the Blues’ side which will play the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Coach Pat Lam said he had no qualms about fielding Williams who has been out for two seasons with Achilles tendon problems.

“He’s excited, he’s fit and keen to get involved,” Lam said, who added he was confident Lam could do a good job even if not at his best.

“There will be a bit of nerves for him, it’s two years, but he’s excited. Since he’s been back [from playing for Nottingham] he’s had two hit-outs of 40 minutes and 50 minutes and there’s a bit of confidence there, but excitement is a good word for it,” he said.

The pressure is not only on Williams, it is on the whole side as they prepare to face a strong Crusaders team.

“To play the Crusaders and to have any chance against you need to come as a team,” Lam said.

Lam has opted to play Jarrad Payne at centre in the opening game and place Isaia Toeava at fullback where he will be playing his 50th game for the side.

He hammered home the message at almost every question at his team announcement that the team was the key thing.

While individuals have their own battles, including Stephen Brett who will be playing against his old team-mates, the pressure is on everyone, Lam said.

“The local derbies have a lot more emphasis [as] if a Blues-Crusaders game doesn’t get that big anyway so it’s a big game for us as a team,” he said.

Lam refused to buy into the prospect that the Crusaders might be hampered by the absence of ace flanker Richie McCaw but he did admit that like most other coaches in the world he is not sure he has sorted out how to contain the other danger man, Dan Carter.

“Everyone in world rugby is trying to work that one out,” he said. “The thing for us again is that you just know that he is going to produce and play well so we just need to ensure, again, that we counter him as a team.”