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Williams has won his appeal against the details of his four-match suspension following his red card in New Zealand's 24-21 loss in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions last month.
Global governing body World Rugby revealed "surprise" at the decision of an independent appeal panel to deem New Zealand's August 11 encounter against Counties Manukau and Taranaki - with the All Blacks playing 40 minutes against each side - as meeting the regulations constituting a match.
"A game being played by New Zealand against Counties Manukau and Taranaki on 11 August that had been excluded from the suspension by the original disciplinary committee, has now been deemed to comply with the regulations' definition of a 'match'," read a statement issued on behalf of World Rugby.
"And, as such, that match will be included as part of the player's suspension. Accordingly, Williams is suspended from all forms of rugby up to and including 11 August."
World Rugby later responded by issuing its own statement, insisting it will respect Williams' right to face Australia next month - but that it will seek clarity on just what represents a match among rugby's complex rules and regulations.
"While World Rugby respects the decision of the independent appeal committee to uphold the appeal by New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams against the matches that counted towards his four-week suspension, it is surprised by the committee's interpretation of the definition of "match" (which is defined in Regulation 1 as "a game in which two teams compete against each other")," read World Rugby's statement.
"With the appeal process having been exhausted, World Rugby will refer the interpretation of the regulation to the Regulations Committee when it meets in September to examine the findings in the context of the game's regulations to ensure universal clarity and compliance with the meaning of the regulation moving forward."The All Blacks midfielder was shown a red card for a dangerous shoulder charge on British and Irish Lions wing Anthony Watson in the second test in Wellington last month and was suspended for four matches.
New Zealand Rugby had proposed Williams could serve the ban by missing the third Lions test, the final match of the Blues' Super Rugby season and two other games before the first Bledisloe Cup test on August 19.World Rugby released a statement on Friday saying it was surprised by the decision.
"While World Rugby respects the decision of the independent appeal committee to uphold the appeal by New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams against the matches that counted towards his four-week suspension, it is surprised by the committee's interpretation of the definition of 'match' (which is defined in regulation 1 as 'a game in which two teams compete against each other')," the statement said.
"With the appeal process having been exhausted, World Rugby will refer the interpretation of the regulation to the Regulations Committee when it meets in September to examine the findings in the context of the game's regulations to ensure universal clarity and compliance with the meaning of the regulation moving forward."
NZ Rugby wasted little time appealing the verdict last Friday. It was understood they were highly upset by the decision not to recognise the All Blacks' specially arranged televised game against Taranaki and Counties, which will be fully officiated and have paying spectators, as constituting a "meaningful" match.
On appeal, Williams faced the three-man panel via video conference on Tuesday night. The committee was chaired by Justice Graeme Mew of Canada along with Shao-Ing Wang (Singapore) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).The All Blacks face the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney on August 19, with the return match against Australia in Dunedin the following week.
The former Kiwis international was the first All Black in 50 years to be sent off with a red card.New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams will be available for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship opener against Australia on August 19.
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