18 Jun 2012

Ali Williams out for up to 8 weeks

1:06 pm on 18 June 2012

The All Black lock Ali Williams will be out of action for up to eight weeks after aggravating an ongoing knee problem in last night's 22-19 win over Ireland in Christchurch.

Williams is expected to have surgery this week and his Super Rugby campaign with the Blues is over.

Coach Steve Hansen says hooker Keven Mealamu and loosie Liam Meesam are likely to join the team this week for the third test in Hamilton.

Hansen says Adam Thomson has a broken nose but is fine, while they'll take a day-to-day approach to Kieren Read who suffered another knock to the head.