Sonny Bill ruled out of opener against Wallabies

Wellington: Sonny Bill Williams will miss New Zealand’s Rugby Championship opener against Australia next month after World Rugby clarified his four-game ban for a red card in the British and Irish Lions series.

The All Blacks centre was sent off for a dangerous shoulder charge on Lions winger Anthony Watson in the second test in Wellington earlier this month and suspended for four matches.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen had hoped Williams could serve the ban by missing the third Lions’ Test, the final match of the Auckland Blues’ Super Rugby season and two other games.