Sonny Bill out of Kiwis reckoning

The Kiwis have suffered a big blow ahead of the naming of their side for the Anzac rugby league Test, with Sonny Bill Williams ruled out by injury.

Williams produced a dominant two-try performance on Friday night as the Sydney Roosters scored a crushing 38-0 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown, the club he walked out on in 2008 before switching to rugby.

The back-rower was expected to make his return to the Kiwis by being included in the 19-man squad to be announced on Sunday night for the Test in Canberra on Friday.

However, Kiwis management said Williams aggravated an existing complaint to his right knee against the Bulldogs.

The injury was reviewed by Roosters medical officer Dr John Orchard on Saturday and referred to orthopaedic surgeon Dr Tim Musgrove.

Williams was given a gel injection, which meant he couldn’t train or play for a minimum of seven days.

After discussions between Orchard and Musgrove and the Kiwis medical team, Williams was ruled out of selection for the Anzac Test.

The 27-year-old Aucklander returned to the NRL this season after 4-1/2 years in rugby during which he became a World Cup winner with the All Blacks and helped the Chiefs to the Super Rugby title.

The loss of Williams is not the only worry for the Kiwis selectors, who will name their 19-man squad later on Sunday.

The team is already without playmaker Benji Marshall and New Zealand Warriors half-back Shaun Johnson suffered a knee injury during his side’s defeat by Canberra last night.

Back-rower Jeremy Smith is also facing the possibility of suspension after being placed on report for a head slam in Newcastle’s win over Penrith.

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