After the rumour that Sonny Bill Williams' World Cup was over was repeatedly shot down by members of the All Blacks coaching staff and players, the man himself turned out for training this morning in Tokyo.
The midfielder, who is one of three players vying to become the first players to win three Rugby World Cups, was seen warming up his hamstrings.
Williams then took part in a sparring drill with Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell – a drill that his teammates surely don’t want to do with him given his 7-0 professional boxing record.
Sonny Bill Williams trained strongly in Japan this morning rather than fly home, the All Blacks coach said.
He overcome a long list of injuries to be included in the squad as one of the four main midfield options along with Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown, with Ngani Laumape one of the unlucky omissions from the squad.
The pair, along with captain Kieran Read, have the chance to become the first three-time World Cup winners.
The All Blacks begin their campaign to try and win a third straight Rugby World Cup against the Springboks on Saturday.
SHARE ME