Rugby World Cup
Sonny Bill thankful to be injury free for All Blacks
September 2, 2015
Sonny Bill Williams has endured a string of injuries in 2015 © Getty Images
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Sonny Bill Williams is thankful to be injury-free and ready to play his best rugby of a fluctuating year at the Rugby World Cup.

Niggles have dogged the powerhouse All Blacks second five-eighth in 2015, leaving him firmly behind veteran Ma'a Nonu in the pecking order heading into their opening game against Argentina in London on September 20.

Williams hasn't played more than three games in a row all year, with the first half of his Chiefs Super Rugby campaign dotted by absences for injuries to his calf, knee and head. He also missed four successive games with a back niggle near the end of the season.

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He then produced modest Test performances against Samoa in Apia and Australia in Sydney either side of an exceptional performance against Argentina in Christchurch, where he displayed his repertoire of trademark linebreaks and offloads.

Williams, 30, accepts he has endured a frustrating season but he says the Rugby World Cup is providing some light at the end of the tunnel.

"I feel like I've played pretty good considering the few injuries I've seemed to pick up," he said. "That's been disappointing but now I'm not just physically but mentally feeling the best I've felt all year so I'm really ready to get out there and take my shot if I get it."

Williams played five games at the 2011 World Cup, three off the bench including late cameos in the semi-final and final, and he said that Nonu's consistently high standards this year had handed him another battle to earn top XV status.

"But I'm confident that if I get that 12 jersey, I'll be able to handle it, just like every other player in the squad. We're lucky to have world-class players in each position."

Williams believes the selection of raw but electric wingers Waisake Naholo and Nehe Milner-Skudder suggests the All Blacks coaches are planning an expansive approach to the tournament, and he says the entire squad have spoken about their chance to make Cup history in England.

"The big thing about this World Cup is that no New Zealand side has gone to Europe and won. We've got a big job on our hands but we can't look too far ahead."

© AAP

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