Early return for Williams?

All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams could make a return to competitive rugby this Saturday, one week earlier than expected.

Williams was handed a four-week suspension for his shoulder charge on British and Irish Lions wing Anthony Watson.

The ban comes to an end after Friday night's game of three halves between the All Blacks, Counties Manukau and Taranaki in Pukekohe.

1News reports that the Williams could make an appearance for Counties B on Saturday at the Bombay Rugby Club in South Auckland.

The full-contact and competitiveness between Counties' two B teams could prove to be much needed preparation for the 32-year-old ahead of next week's opening Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies in Sydney.

The World Rugby panel refused to count the Counties B match in Williams' original suspension.

Williams has been out of action for more than five weeks since that second Test against the Lions in Wellington on July 1.

The All Blacks staff and players desperately want the two-time World Cup winner to return in order form him to get much-needed game-time.