Sonny Bill Williams will be available for Rugby Championship opener against Australia

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed that All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is all set to be available for the Rugby Championship opening clash against Australia next month after serving a four-week ban.

The Blues centre became the first New Zealand player to be sent-off after he performed a shoulder charge on British and Irish Lions' Anthony Watson during the second Test between the two teams in Wellington on 1st July.

As a result, Williams missed the series deciding third game in Auckland that ended in a 15-15 draw and was also on the sidelines for the final round of the Super Rugby competition that saw his team Blues losing to Sunwolves 48-21. Williams will also miss two pre-season games for his provincial side Counties Manukau.

Hansen confirmed to Radio Sport that the 31-year-old will be available for selection for the 19th August clash in Sydney.

There were also reports emerging on Malakai Fekitoa moving to France to sign a deal with Top 14 club Toulon but Hansen refused to confirm on the news.

"He's making a decision based on what's right for him," he said."Like all of the guys that go overseas, we don't want him to go but if he goes we'll support him."

Earlier Lions captain Sam Warburton stated that a drawn series against a team like New Zealand is 'satisfying' considering their dominance in the game but Hansen, who pointed out the difference in mindset between the two sides insisted that his team had let themselves down during the final two games against Warren Gatland's men.

"I guess that's the difference between the two mindsets isn't it, and long may it last because I think that gives us an advantage going forward," he said."We'll look at ourselves very hard and honestly and we'll grow from it."