Ali Williams

Ali Williams
Williams representing New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup
Full nameAlexander James Williams
Date of birth (1981-04-30) 30 April 1981 (age 43)
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight118 kg (260 lb; 18 st 8 lb)
SchoolKing's College
UniversityAuckland University of Technology
Notable relative(s)Jay Williams (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2012 Auckland 34 (20)
2002–2007 Blues 52 (5)
2008 Crusaders 15 (15)
2009–2013 Blues 50 (5)
2010–2011Nottingham (loan) 3 (0)
2013–2015 Toulon 42 (15)
2016–2017 Racing 92 10 (0)
Correct as of 12 November 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2012 New Zealand 77 (35)
Correct as of 12 November 2023

Alexander James Williams (born 30 April 1981) is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player who playled as a lock most notably for Super Rugby club Blues and the New Zealand national team.[1]

Williams spent almost all of his playing career in his homeland. At provincial level, he played mainly with Auckland, though he spent one season with Tasman and was also loaned out to Nottingham in England's second-level RFU Championship in 2010. At Super Rugby level, he played for both the Blues and Crusaders. Williams played for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, between 2002 and 2012. He 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. Williams spent what were to have been the final two seasons of his career in France with Toulon, playing there from 2013 to 2015. He came out of retirement to play in the 2016/17 season for top French club Racing 92. On 25 February 2017 Williams was arrested in Paris for allegedly buying cocaine.[2]

  1. ^ "Stats | allblacks.com". stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Rugby players held in Paris drugs raid". BBC News. 25 February 2017.