Auckland - All Black lock Ali Williams will play his first Vodacom Super Rugby match in almost two years after being named to start for the Blues against the Crusaders in Auckland on Saturday.
According to the allblacks.com website, Williams, 29, spent most of the past two season on the sidelines recovering from two separate Achilles tendon injuries.
The 61-Test veteran's return from his latest lengthy spell on the sidelines began with a short stint with English club Nottingham and continued with two pre-season hit-outs with the Blues.
Coach Pat Lam said Williams was ready for his first Super rugby match since May 2009, "otherwise I wouldn't put him there".
"He's excited, he's fit and keen to get involved."
Lam warned fans not to expect Williams to be back at his best immediately.
Meanwhile, Lam has opted to play All Black utility Isaia Toeava at fullback in his 50th game for the Blues, while Northland captain Jared Payne will move from his customary fullback position to be at centre in his first appearance for the franchise after his move from the Crusaders.
Teams:
Blues:
15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Tom McCartney/Ash Dixon, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers
Crusaders:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Tom Marshall/Tyler Bleyendaal
According to the allblacks.com website, Williams, 29, spent most of the past two season on the sidelines recovering from two separate Achilles tendon injuries.
The 61-Test veteran's return from his latest lengthy spell on the sidelines began with a short stint with English club Nottingham and continued with two pre-season hit-outs with the Blues.
Coach Pat Lam said Williams was ready for his first Super rugby match since May 2009, "otherwise I wouldn't put him there".
"He's excited, he's fit and keen to get involved."
Lam warned fans not to expect Williams to be back at his best immediately.
Meanwhile, Lam has opted to play All Black utility Isaia Toeava at fullback in his 50th game for the Blues, while Northland captain Jared Payne will move from his customary fullback position to be at centre in his first appearance for the franchise after his move from the Crusaders.
Teams:
Blues:
15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Tom McCartney/Ash Dixon, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers
Crusaders:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Tom Marshall/Tyler Bleyendaal