All Blacks prop Williams ruled out of France series
All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of the test series against France with a knee injury, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed on Monday.
Williams pulled up sore after helping the Canterbury Crusaders beat the Waikato Chiefs in the Super Rugby championship-decider, and scans later revealed a torn meniscus. NZR said surgery would be required.
George Bower has been brought into the squad to replace Williams ahead of the series-opener against the French in Dunedin on Saturday.
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