Rugby: Sonny Bill Williams embracing the fear of injury

It's been a tough old season for Sonny Bill Williams.

The 30-year-old has barely featured for the Blues in Super Rugby with knee and shoulder injuries that have limited 'SBW' to just two games.

The latest setback resulted in keyhole knee surgery last month that was thought to sideline the cross-code superstar for six weeks.

Remarkably, it emerged late last week that Williams was recovering at rapid speed and the 45-test veteran was put through a vigorous training session with injured captain Kieran Read last Friday in Wellington.

Williams is now in line to make a stunning comeback against the French in Dunedin on Saturday night.

The former NRL premiership winner and NZ heavyweight boxing champion admits his growing list of injuries is a concern, but he has embraced any pre-match nerves around another setback.

"I won't be 100 percent physically, because I haven't played in a while, but I back myself through my knowledge of the game, the way I have prepared and just my mental state that I can cope with that," Williams says.

"You have to be honest with yourself. You have to be vulnerable, you can't suppress those emotions.

“It's good to have those emotions, and try and sit with them for a bit. "No-one likes that feeling of the unknown and almost being scared sometimes.

"If you can sit with it and embrace it, then you can move forward, and try and put into action of what you want to do."

Williams recovery has even shocked him.

A week ago, he was preparing for a few days away with his wife and young family, until a scheduled catch-up with All Blacks management revealed he was close to 100 percent.

"I thought I wouldn't be playing for 4-6 weeks,” he reflected today

"It all happened very quickly. I was in a bit of a holiday mode, and then I caught up with the coaching and medical staff, and was told the surgery was a success.

"Doc said I could be available for the third test and then coach [Steve Hansen] brought me into camp.

"My wife was a bit upset, as we had a few things planned, but before we knew it, I was back in here.”

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