Rugby
SBW's return date uncertain
2012-11-06 10:05
Sonny Bill Williams (AFP)
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Sydney - Sonny Bill Williams' recovery from shoulder surgery is progressing
as well as hoped but his immediate sporting future remains unclear.
Williams' manager Khoder Nasser said doctors were happy with his
client's progress since undergoing surgery on a minor pectoral muscle
tear on October 31, but couldn't confirm when the dual international
would be fully fit again.
The nature of the injury could yet rule out Williams for the
remainder of the Japanese rugby season which concludes at the end of
January.
But he is likely to be fit again to fight South African Francois
Botha in Brisbane in mid-February before his much anticipated return to
rugby league with Sydney Roosters.
"He is recovering well, but because of where the injury is and how
the arm is used in boxing as opposed to rugby these are the things we
still have to work through to understand when he will be fit again,"
Nasser said.
"You use the arm and muscle differently in each sport and with the
doctors we are looking at data from other athletes who have suffered
similar injuries to see what the recovery timetable is."
The Williams camp is confident of announcing a new date for the
rescheduled fight with Botha some time next week, Nasser said.
And while the injury may preclude Williams from returning to play
with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, it is unlikely to affect his
much hyped return to the NRL with the Roosters.
The NRL is yet to officially release its 2013 draw, but with the
Roosters pencilled in to kick off the season with a match against
arch-rivals South Sydney on March 7 that would leave Williams little
time to get to know his new team-mates at Bondi.
"There is a process we are working through," Nasser said.
"Sonny is concentrating on his rehab at the moment and we are
confident he will make a full recovery sooner rather than later."