The injury plagued All Blacks lock Ali Williams has been ruled out of this weekend's test against Italy with a recurrence of the Achilles injury that saw him miss the opening two tests of the season against France.
William's pulled up at training today in Christchurch and has been replaced by Canterbury's Isaac Ross, with Bryn Evans coming onto the bench.
Team doctor Deb Robinson says the next course of actiont will depend how Williams responds to treatment over the next couple of days.
There was a brighter note to training with the injured trio of skipper Richie McCaw, winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and hooker Andrew Hore all taking part in a series of fitness drills.
