Tamaiti  Williams has become the latest All Black to play through the pain in a Super Rugby final - then pay for it later

The Crusaders prop played through a knee injury in their title-securing win, but now needs to go under the knife - sidelining him for six to eight weeks.

Sam Whitelock played the 2023 final for now All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on an achilles injury that subsequently sidelined him.

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu also returned early from a knee injury last year - and was later out for a long period with a calf issue.

Having gone from one side of the fence to the other, Robertson says it's in the past now.



George Bower has replaced Williams in the squad ahead of Saturday's first test against France in Dunedin.

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