All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams will play club rugby in Auckland this weekend to enhance his chances for a World Cup spot after an injury-ridden 2019.

Williams will play for Ponsonby Rugby Club, who claim to have the most All Blacks on their books. He will start at inside centre in their match Grammar TEC in the top division of Auckland club rugby.

Should Williams be named in the All Blacks’ squad for the Rugby Championship, he would become Ponsonby’s 74th New Zealand international.

Williams could be allowed to play three games for Ponsonby, after featuring in just six of the Blues’ 16 Vodacom Super Rugby matches this season.

The 33-year-old has been struggling with a knee injury, which he had to undergo surgery for.

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