Achilles injury rules SBW for nine months

Sonny Bill Williams will be out for nine months after partially rupturing his Achilles playing for New Zealand Sevens at the Rio Olympics.
The code-hopper was supposed to join the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship after the Olympics.
Williams was injured during New Zealand’s shock 14-12 loss to Japan in their first game.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said: “He will be out of rugby for six to nine months. He will be unavailable for the All Blacks and Steve Hansen and the other coaches will have to start thinking about a replacement. Whoever gets that chance will make the most of it.
“It’s obviously very gutting. He’s a world class player, but the thing with the All Blacks is when someone gets an opportunity, they usually step up, so I don’t know who they’re going to call in, but I’m sure whoever gets that chance, they’ll step up.”