Blues skipper Williams quits Test rugby

[The InnFORCEr]

AAP
May 24, 2013,
7:30 am

Lock Ali Williams will retire from the international arena after 77 All Blacks Tests, but will stay on in Super Rugby with the Blues.

Williams made his announcement to his 29,000 followers on his Twitter account on Friday with a message linked to a YouTube clip.

"Guys, just want to let you know first that I'm retiring from international rugby," he said.

"I'm hanging up the black jersey. It's been an amazing 10 years. It's time to call it quits. But I'm not hanging up the boots yet."

Williams, 32, is due to lead the Blues against the Brumbies in Auckland on Saturday night.

The Aucklander made his All Blacks debut against England in November 2002 and played his last Test against Italy last November.

He appeared in three World Cups and was part of New Zealand's win over France in the 2011 final at Eden Park.

He was included this month in the All Blacks wider training squad, which had the first of its two camps over the past week.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he respects Williams' decision to go out on his terms and paid tribute to him for putting the team first.

"He knew he may have been selected for the All Blacks again this year," he said.

"But he also knows that it is better for the team to have a younger player in the position."

Hansen described Williams as "a fantastic All Black" and a player who always wore his heart on his sleeve.

"He would have played a lot more games for the team if injuries hadn't robbed him of the opportunity," he said.

"But it took a lot of courage to come back to top-flight rugby and that is a measure of the man and shows just how much he loves the game."

Williams' Test career was put on hold in 2009 and 2010 because of major Achilles injuries that required three operations.

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan said Williams' decision would have been a difficult one.

However, he was delighted that Williams, whom he appointed as skipper this year, was sticking with the Blues.

"A lot of players at his stage in their career are looking to go overseas," he said.

"But he really wants to commit to the Blues and stay here and help this young side grow and achieve their goals, which is fantastic."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ts-test-rugby/

[PeterM]

Always been a big fan of Ali Williams thanks for all the memories and your service to AB rugby play on as long as you can in Super Rugby

[WFDom]

Good riddance you dirty bast@rd!... (good opponent though)

[Tonkar]

Great player who has made alot of enemies and just as many friends and fans in the game ...

Shows the difference between NZ rugby and Aus rugby Great player staying on in S15 and help bring the younger players up to standard and not go overseas like our guys have to....

If Aus Player did not have to be on the Wallabies list then Guys like Sharpe ,Gregan and others would have stayed and lifted our S15 teams for more years

[SNOB]

Great player. Got in their faces and di what he was supposed to do.
The ABs will miss him for a while but no other international team will.
Travel well man!