SBW to skip birth of child

Cape Town - All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Faumuina will remain on tour with the team if their wives give birth over the next four weeks.

According to the Yahoo Sport website, centre Williams, 29, and prop Faumuina, 27, both told coach Steve Hansen of their stance before New Zealand's year-end tour began.

Both plan to stay with the team throughout the four-Test trip, regardless of any additions to their family in New Zealand.

Williams's wife Alana is expecting their first child in two-three weeks' time while Faumuina's wife Rachelle is heavily pregnant with their second child.

Williams and Faumuina have been named to start Saturday's Test against the United States in Chicago.

Teams:

United States
TBA

New Zealand
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Joe Moody.

Substitutes: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Daniel Carter, 23 Julian Savea