Sonny Bill Williams to make long-awaited return from knee surgery

Sonny Bill Williams will make his long‑awaited return from knee surgery in the Blues' final Super Rugby match of the year, with only pride to play for against the Hurricanes on Saturday night.

For Williams, though, the stakes are a little bit higher as the 33‑year‑old, who has missed almost the entire back half of the season after requiring surgery to his knee, seeks to prove his fitness ahead of the international campaign, and a tilt at a third straight World Cup with the All Blacks.

Williams' return relegates fellow dual World Cup‑winning veteran Ma'a Nonu to the bench.

The Blues play the Hurricanes at 7.35pm Saturday.

BLUES: Melani Nanai, Caleb Clarke, Tanielu Tele'a, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Augustine Pulu; Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson (capt), Dalton Papalii, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Marcel Renata, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Hisa Sasagi, Lua Li, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, Ma'a Nonu.

[Source:Stuff.co]

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