The All Blacks are remaining cautious over the fitness of Sonny Bill Williams, with the midfielder battling a hamstring concern ahead of the opening Test of the Rugby Championship.
Having missed most of the last Super Rugby season with a knee injury, Williams went down in All Blacks training last Friday, missing out on playing club rugby over the weekend.
At 33, Williams' body is causing concern among coaches, struggling to keep the dynamic midfielder fit heading into this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Speaking to media today, assistant coach Ian Foster spoke of his optimism that Williams will be fit for the upcoming Rugby Championship, beginning with Argentina away next week.
"Sonny's good, he was running up and down the side of the field," Foster said.
"He got involved in training, [he] can't go hard off the mark just yet, but is probably a little bit ahead of where we thought.
"Hopefully by the end of the week he's striding out properly, and then we can make a decision."
Foster also said that there will a be a very high chance of Williams going to Argentina, whether he plays against the Pumas or not.
"The plan is to take him, now we've just got to make sure that it's the right thing.
"Whether we take him to rehab him, or take him to play him - we'll figure that out."
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