After a false start two weeks ago, Sonny Bill Williams returns to the All Blacks starting line-up against Argentina this week.
The veteran midfielder has spent most of this year on the side-lines with injury - initially to a knee and subsequently to a shoulder - and was selected to come off the bench for New Zealand against South Africa in Wellington two weeks ago.
- Sonny Bill Williams champing at bit for selection against Pumas
- Sonny Bill Williams returns to face Springboks in Wellington
- Sonny Bill Williams scratched from bench against Springboks
But hours after his name was announced, he was withdrawn through illness, replaced by Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue for that loss to the Springboks.
Coach Steve Hansen has no qualms about re-instating Williams straight into the starting XV for this clash with the Pumas in Buenos Aires, expected to be a stern examination, after the South Americans' improved performance in this year's Rugby Championship.
"It's a lot better if you put him in the starting group, I think, if you've got a player coming back from injury," says Hansen. "You've got two choices obviously, but we think it's better for his preparation.
"He can prepare to play, knows what he's going into and has shoulder that hasn't had a lot of rugby, so being able to warm up and play that role - 'when the whistle goes, I'm out there' - we think that's better for him."
Williams will partner Ryan Crotty in the centres, another player who has suffered his share of injury - particularly head injury - concerns this year, with Anton Leinart-Brown coming off the bench.
While impressed with Goodhue's play for the national side this series, Hansen insists he is due a rest and should have got it against South Africa.
Newshub.
