Injured prop Tamaiti Williams withdraws from the New Zealand rugby squad to play France

June 29, 2025 - 7:00 PM

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Prop Tamaiti Williams has withdrawn from New Zealand's three-test series against France, the second injury loss from the squad revealed by All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson only a week ago.

Williams has a knee injury and follows backrower Wallace Sititi, who withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury. Both players will require surgery.

George Bower will join the squad in place of Williams and uncapped Crusaders backrower Christian Lio-Willie has replaced Sititi.

Robertson will announce his match-day lineup for the first test against France on Thursday. The All Blacks and France will meet at Dunedin on Saturday, in Wellington on July 12 and at Hamilton on July 19.

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

News from © The Associated Press, 2025

More News ...

Top ten reasons to get our newsletter
Top Ten Reasons to get our newsletter. 1. Find something new: You don’t need to read things twice. We try hard to find stories others don’t have. 2. Exclusive content: You’ll find stuff in the newsletter you won&rsqu

iN NUMBERS: Beer, wine and spirits in Kamloops, Okanagan
Everyone loves to go on about how great the wine is in the Okanagan, but good ol’ beer and liquor is too often overlooked. Here are some numbers for wine, beer and spirits in Kamloops and the Okanagan: 8,830: Acres of viney

Texas governor calls for special session after vetoing a bill to ban THC-infused goods
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill that would have banned consumable hemp products containing THC ingredients in the state, but said he's open to lawmakers passing a new effort to regulate what has become a boomin

Central Okanagan needs 20,000 new homes in five years
Cities around the Central Okanagan have been figuring out how many homes they need to build to keep up with the rising demand, but the regional district has taken a step back to look at the bigger picture. The Regional District of the Centr

Popular kelowna News

'Lived on love': Couple called Penticton encampment home for a year
If you were walking down any Penticton street in the middle of a nice summer day and saw Mathias Korkowski and Willow Wood walking hand-in-hand, you would likely think they are just another happy
June 27, 2025 6:00 PM
Kelowna curling club fights $7,000 fine after serving beer to undercover teen
The Kelowna Curling Club has successfully fought a $7,000 fine after it served a 17-year-old a beer during the Canadian men's curling championship. According to a June 25 BC Liquor and C
June 28, 2025 6:00 AM
'Expensive umbrella': Musicians disappointed with new $1.6M stage in Kelowna's city park
The new outdoor Island Stage in Kelowna’s Waterfront Park is facing some fierce criticism from musicians who think it was a waste of money. The stage faces west into the sunset, has no
June 27, 2025 7:00 PM
Innovative café opening in Vernon breaks down employment barriers
An artsy café opening in Vernon this summer will be operated by residents with diverse abilities as part of a broader movement for inclusivity. The Pup-n-Cup Café is not only a
June 29, 2025 6:00 AM
BC Tribunal rules against woman who took nude photos at work
A BC office worker has failed in her attempt to sue her ex after he gave management nude photos of her that she'd taken at work. The office worker, referred to as MR in a June 24 BC Civi
June 28, 2025 4:00 PM

Trending Now

TRENDING NOW: Dog just wants to unwind with a drink

View Site in: Desktop | Mobile

Injured prop Tamaiti Williams withdraws from the New Zealand rugby squad to play France

Trending Now

Kamloops

Kelowna

Penticton

Vernon