US Eagles 6-74 New Zealand
Sonny Bill a doubt for England Test
Tom Hamilton in Chicago
November 2, 2014
Sonny Bill Williams celebrates scoring a second try, US Eagles v New Zealand, Soldier Field, Chicago, November 1, 2014
Sonny Bill crashed over for a double but limped off the field with a leg injury © Getty Images
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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was pleased with Sonny Bill Williams' return to the Test scene but the centre is an injury doubt ahead of their next match against England on Saturday.

Williams scored two tries in New Zealand's 74-6 demolition of the Eagles but was forced off after 56 minutes with a corked thigh but Hansen was pleased with his impact.

"He was very good, it was what we expected." Hansen said. "He's a class footballer and he's been excited about coming back to rugby and he displayed all his skills today. He fitted into the game structure pretty well."

Despite the injury, Williams is hopeful of being available to face England next week. "I got a bit of a cork near my hip, I've had it before," Williams said. "At the start of the second-half I felt a tweak and then it got worse. I went to get a ball out of the back and I couldn't get a push off my leg. The doc is pretty upbeat about it."

It was Williams' first Test match since 2012 and he relished the chance to pull on the famous black jersey once more. He said: "From a rugby point of view it was awesome to be back in an All Blacks environment, I didn't realise how much I missed it and there are the resources there to improve you as a player which is great.

"There's talent everywhere in the squad and that's what makes the All Blacks so good. You can't let your foot off the gas for one second or someone's going to take your spot. I'm happy biding my time and just working on those little things."

Williams played alongside Ryan Crotty in the All Blacks' centres and his partner in the midfield was full of praise for his comeback performance. "I thought he [Sonny Bill] played really well," Crotty said. "We've been getting pretty tight during the week talking about the moves and I think it paid off a couple of times.

"He's a class act, a freak athlete. He's got an eye for gaps and running lines and a great skillset."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Tom Hamilton is the Associate Editor of ESPNscrum.

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