Lock Williams sent home for drinking

SYDNEY – New Zealand lock Ali Williams has been dumped from Auckland’s Super 14 squad because off repeated bad behaviour, including drinking alcohol on the night before matches.

The Auckland Blues released a statement yesterday announcing Williams had been sent home from South Africa after “recent late-night excursions” in Australia, where the Blues played their last match. The decision means Williams will miss Auckland’s Super 14 semi-final against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday and the final a week later, should they qualify.Blues chief executive Andy Dalton said Anthony Boric would fly to South Africa to replace Williams, who was sent home in disgrace after a meeting of team management and senior players.Dalton said the group had no alternative other than to order him home after a culmination of behavioural issues which included “disrespectful behaviour within the team, issues around promotions and sponsorship commitments and a number of late-night drinking incidents”.”Ali has struggled with that this season despite several internal efforts to help address the situation by members of the Blues including the leadership group and management.”Williams, 26, is one of New Zealand’s top forwards and regarded as a near certain selection for the All Blacks squad for this year’s World Cup.He has already 40 test appearances and was among a select group of 22 players ordered to miss the first half of this year’s Super 14 season to under a conditioning programme for the World Cup.Nampa-ReutersThe decision means Williams will miss Auckland’s Super 14 semi-final against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday and the final a week later, should they qualify.Blues chief executive Andy Dalton said Anthony Boric would fly to South Africa to replace Williams, who was sent home in disgrace after a meeting of team management and senior players.Dalton said the group had no alternative other than to order him home after a culmination of behavioural issues which included “disrespectful behaviour within the team, issues around promotions and sponsorship commitments and a number of late-night drinking incidents”.”Ali has struggled with that this season despite several internal efforts to help address the situation by members of the Blues including the leadership group and management.”Williams, 26, is one of New Zealand’s top forwards and regarded as a near certain selection for the All Blacks squad for this year’s World Cup.He has already 40 test appearances and was among a select group of 22 players ordered to miss the first half of this year’s Super 14 season to under a conditioning programme for the World Cup.Nampa-Reuters