Tamaiti Williams ruled out of Super Rugby season with back infection

27-Test All Black prop Tamaiti Williams will miss the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season for the Crusaders, through a serious infection in his back.

Williams is currently in hospital recovering, and will be unable to return to play during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

His return to play schedule beyond that is unclear, but Williams said in his YouTube video that “I’ve been told I’ll make a 100% recovery, so yeah I’m grateful.”

The All Blacks prop has been diagnosed with discitis – an infection in one of the discs in his spine.

Williams has been out of action since their clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton, where he was then suspended for three games after a late cleanout on All Blacks teammate Tupou Vaa’i.

 

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The 59-cap Crusader described how the recent situation came about.

“I’ve had a sore back for a couple of weeks and had to come in for some scans and blood tests,” Williams said.

“They found an infection in my back called discitis, which means I’m going to be on antibiotics for a pretty long time. Unfortunately, my Crusade for 2026 is over.”

“I’m feeling gutted, but I’m also grateful that the news isn’t as bad as what it could be,” he says.

“Being in hospital, you see a lot, and it makes you appreciate that this place is here to save us. I’ve been told I’m going to make a 100 percent recovery, so I’m thankful for that.”

Despite being in hospital recovering, Williams still has a positive message for his teammates and Crusaders family.

“Even though my season’s done, I’ve got full faith in the boys that they’re going to get the job done. It’s an exciting year for us with the new stadium and a lot of big moments coming up. I’ll be backing the team all the way.”