News

MacDonald and Williams clash

June 20 2008

A collision between full-back Leon MacDonald and lock Ali Williams nearly cost one of them a place in the second Test against England in Christchurch on Saturday.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said MacDonald went down clutching an ankle after colliding with Williams at practice and feared the worst before the veteran number fifteen was cleared to play.

"It didn't look too good when it happened, I thought he was out of the Test match quite frankly," Henry told NZPA, whilst revealing the two players have a notorious record for training ground run-ins.

The Crusaders team-mates, who boast 101 Tests between them, have already clashed three times this season.

"It seems to be a pretty regular occurrence over the last three or four years," said Henry.

"They're keeping a bit of a tally on that. Leon's trying to avoid Ali at training."

Thursday's incident was typical, with neither player prepared to back down over blame.

"They ran into each other at pace, both claiming the other person was in the wrong position," said Henry.

"But (MacDonald) bounced back, everybody's fine."