Williams – ‘I let my brothers down’

All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has expressed his disappointment at letting his team-mates down following his red card in the 24-21 second Test defeat to the British and Irish Lions in Wellington.

Williams was red-carded for a shoulder charge to the face of Lions wing Anthony Watson in the 25th minute and was suspended for four weeks after a judicial hearing on Sunday.

After the judicial hearing, Williams revealed to reporters that he had apologised directly to Watson: “I’ve got in contact with Anthony, and I’ve apologised to him.

“They’ve come to the conclusion that it was reckless, it wasn’t intentional.

Meanwhile, a tweet posted by Williams on the All Blacks official account read: “I’m very disappointed that I was sent from the field last night and let my brothers down.”