more bullshit, wonder if he's fit enough to play for the Roosters.. or do they have a bye ?
edit, just found Thurs 25th v Dragons... bet he plays..
The Kiwis build-up to Friday's Anzac Test in Canberra has sustained a significant blow with explosive second rower Sonny Bill Williams ruled out of selection with a knee injury.
Williams was poised to play for the Kiwis for the first time since quitting the code in 2008 for French rugby but the former All Black is unavailable after Sydney Roosters medical staff assessed a pre-existing knee injury yesterday.
The double international was assured of resuming his seven-test Kiwis career at Canberra Stadium but now will not play for New Zealand until the World Cup in late October - providing he remains in the sport after his one-season contract with the Roosters expires.
Williams attended a press conference after Friday night's 38-0 thrashing of his former NRL club the Bulldogs with ice packs on both knees but was enthusiastic about playing for the Kiwis, describing his impending selection as "an honour".
Those plans were thwarted when the Roosters medical officer Dr John Orchard reviewed the state of his right knee and referred the 27-year-old to orthopaedic surgeon Dr Tim Musgrove.
Williams knee was subsequently injected with a pain-relieving gel that means he was unable to train or play for at least seven days.
Orchard and Musgrove informed the New Zealand Rugby League medical team and then Kiwis selectors were told Williams would not be fit to play against the Kangaroos.
The 19-man squad is announced after Manly play St George-Illawarra Dragons in Sydney at 5pm (NZT).
Williams' demise opens up a spot in the highly contestable second row, where the selection panel at least have several personnel to pick from.
However, Williams' absence serious hampers the Kiwis attempt to spike a five-test losing test against their trans-Tasman rivals.
He has been a revelation since returning to NRL with the Roosters, an impressive comeback underlined by his contribution at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday where he tormented Bulldogs fans by scoring two tries and setting up the first touchdown for future Kiwis outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Williams joins star Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall on the sidelines after the former Kiwis captain was ruled out for at least a month after damaging toe ligaments while playing the Melbourne Storm on Monday. Halfback Shaun Johnson is set to replace Marshall although he is also nursing a bruised knee in the aftermath of the New Zealand Warriors 20-16 loss to the Canberra Raiders in the Australian capital last night. Initially Johnson did not feel the injury was too serious.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/8548870/Sonny-Bills-Kiwis-return-on-ice-after-injury
