Sonny Bill withdrawal just a precaution

James Gordon

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney says Sonny Bill Williams will be fit for next weekend’s semi-final against England or France, despite his withdrawal midway through the win over Scotland.

Williams was caught in a nasty position in his first hit up of the quarter-final victory, getting his head trapped under Bravehearts prop Adam Walker‘s arm.

He battled on, setting up a try for Shaun Johnson, before being pulled off at half-time.

Kearney said: “Sonny Bill is good. He looked alright when he went through to set up the try.

“It was a precautionary decision to pull him off. He’ll be fine next week.”

Kearney may have worries over winger Matu Vatuvei, who left the field with a groin injury.

The Kiwis, who have scored 40 or more in each of their four victories at the World Cup so far, will watch the All Blacks rugby union international on Saturday, while England and France do battle for the right to play them at Wembley on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of www.swpix.com