Tamaiti Williams, New Zealand prop for the Crusaders, will be spending the next few months away from the rugby pitch. The player has been hospitalized due to a serious infection in his back. He provided an update on his condition this Monday.
The Crusaders will finish the Super Rugby season without Tamaiti Williams. The Christchurch franchise announced on Monday the withdrawal of the 25-year-old international prop player with 27 caps, for the next few months, due to a severe infection in his back. The giant (6’5”, 308lbs), who was one of the main contributors to the Crusaders’ Super Rugby title last year, is suffering from discitis. This is an infection of the intervertebral discs, which often leads to back pain, fever, and mobility issues. It is a serious problem for which the prop has been hospitalized to receive medical treatment. “He will remain under close medical observation until his condition is stable enough for him to return home,” informed his franchise.
As for Williams, he expressed being “devastated, but also grateful that the news is not as bad as it could have been.” “In the hospital, we see a lot of things, and it makes us realize how important this place is for saving us. I was told that I would make a full recovery, and I am grateful for that.” While it seems impossible to determine a return date to the field, Williams is highly doubtful for the first match of the Six Nations against France on July 4th.
