All Blacks prop Williams out of Super Rugby season with back infection / Photo: Miguel MEDINA - AFP
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All Blacks prop Williams out of Super Rugby season with back infection
All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams was Monday ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby season after being hospitalised with a serious back infection.
The 25-year-old is under medical care after being diagnosed with discitis -– an infection in one of the discs in his spine, his club said.
Williams will remain in hospital until he is stable enough to return home.
He will play no further part in the Super Rugby season, which runs until the final in mid-June, with his return beyond that guided by medical advice.
The All Blacks kick off their season against France in Christchurch on July 4.
"I'm feeling gutted, but I'm also grateful that the news isn't as bad as what it could be," said Williams, who has been capped 26 times by New Zealand.
"Being in hospital you see a lot and it makes you appreciate that this place is here to save us.
"I've been told I'm going to make a 100 percent recovery, so I'm thankful for that."
The defending champion Crusaders are currently sixth on the 11-team Super Rugby ladder after round seven.
G.AbuGhazaleh--SF-PST