All Blacks legends Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina believe that Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams’ powerful playing style is tailor-made to dominate the Springboks.
With injuries sidelining Saders teammates Fletcher Newell and George Bower, Williams is set to make his mark in the Rugby Championship, providing much-needed reinforcement for New Zealand’s front row.
Weighing in at an impressive 140kg, the 22-year-old tighthead prop poses a formidable challenge for opposing teams, and speaking on Sky Sport’s New Zealand TV show, The Breakdown, Wilson and Muliaina hailed Williams as an All Blacks bolter for the Rugby Championship.
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“We need to look at props,” Wilson said. “I can tell you why we are looking at props is because what we’ve got is back-to-back games in the Rugby Championship we’ve got Argentina in Argentina and then we come back and play at Mount Smart against the Springboks.
“I’m thinking they are going to need a number of guys in the squad, I don’t think they will all travel. I don’t think they will all go for the first game.
“No Fletcher Newell, not available, so Tamaiti Williams is a guy who has put his hand up. Tighthead prop is an issue for us right now.”
Muliaina added: “What really stood out was when he had to go to the other side [of the scrum] against the Blues. We’ve seen how big he is, he is a big specimen that loves to get around the field.
“But mentally, to go to the other side of the scrum, that’s good.”
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