Ali Williams has represented Auckland and
plays for the Blues in the Super 14, when he
signed for the Tasman provincial side. In
2008, he played for the Crusaders in the
Super 14 and in 2010 signed on loan for
Nottingham Rugby in the Championship.
He has played for the All Blacks since 2002
and was in the All Blacks squad for the
2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups. In 2005, NZ
Rugby Almanack chose him as one of its five
players of the year. In December 2012, he
was named as the captain of the Blues for
the 2013 Super rugby campaign.
Williams did not begin playing rugby
until 1998 when, aged 17, he played for the
King's College Second XV.
He had already represented Auckland
at junior level in soccer, tennis
and cricket. In 1999, he was a
member of the King's College First
XV and at this stage he decided to
concentrate on rugby. He began a
business studies course at Auckland
University of Technology, but after
playing club rugby and spending time
at the Auckland Rugby Academy, he
was selected to make his first class
debut for Auckland in an National
Provincial Championship match
against Taranaki on 24 August 2001.
The following year he was named in
the Blues squad for the Super 12 and
made his debut against the
Hurricanes in the opening game of
the season, on 22 February 2002.
Later that year, he was selected for
the All Blacks' year-end tour to
England, France and Wales; he played
in all three Test matches, making
his international debut against
England at Twickenham on 9 November
2002.
