Sonny Bill Williams To Miss First Two Bledisloes

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed that veteran inside centre Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of both Tests against Australia through injury.

Hansen also confirmed that Williams will be named in his Rugby Championship squad but won't be fit for either Bledisloe Cup Test.

Williams, who turns 33 on Saturday, missed the first two Tests against France in June with a knee complaint but returned to start the third test where he damaged a shoulder joint.

He is targeting a return for the third Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Nelson.

"He looks fit and he trained well this morning without doing any of the contact stuff," Hansen said.

"The injury he's got inhibits him from doing physical stuff but his running was good."

Another to miss the Wallabies Tests in Sydney on August 18 and in Auckland on August 25 will be Dane Coles.