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Injury ends All Blacks prop Williams' 2026 season
Sport Nation • March 30th, 2026 9:16 am
Tamaiti Williams | Photo: Photosport
The Crusaders will be without All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams for the remainder of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season as he undergoes treatment for a serious spinal infection.
Williams is currently in hospital after being diagnosed with discitis, an infection affecting one of the discs in his spine. He is receiving specialist care and will remain under close medical supervision until he is well enough to return home.
The news comes as a huge blow both to the Crusaders, who currently sit sixth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a 50 percent win-loss ratio, and the All Blacks in their maiden Test season under new head coach Dave Rennie just a year out from the Rugby World Cup.
While the priority is firmly on his recovery, the condition has ruled the 24-year-old out for the rest of the season. Any timeline for a return to rugby beyond that will depend on further medical assessment.
Speaking from hospital, Williams outlined how the issue developed over recent weeks.
“I’d been dealing with a sore back for a couple of weeks and came in for scans and blood tests,” he said.
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“That’s when they found the infection so I’ll be on antibiotics for quite a while. Unfortunately, that means my season with the Crusaders is over.”
Despite the setback, Williams remained positive about his longer-term outlook.
“It’s tough to take because I felt like this season had a lot going for it, but I’m grateful it’s not worse,” he said.
“Being in hospital gives you a bit of perspective. I’ve been told I’ll make a full recovery, so I’m thankful for that.”
Williams also backed his teammates to carry on without him as the Crusaders push through a pivotal campaign.
“I’ve got full confidence in the boys to get the job done. There’s a big year ahead with the new stadium and plenty of big moments coming up — I’ll be supporting them all the way.”
