Williams declares All Blacks plans
Runaway Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams has declared his desire to play for the All Blacks at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Williams made his rugby union debut with French team Toulon on Saturday (AEST) despite a NSW Supreme Court injunction ruling that he could play with no club but the Bulldogs.
Williams is contracted to the NRL side until 2013.
The Kiwi international backrower started on the left wing in Saturday's pre-season game before moving into the centres, a position he said he wants to make his own.
"There's short-term goals and there's long-term goals, like playing for the All Blacks," Williams told Fairfax newspapers.
"I want to become a dominant No.13 (outside centre) and be considered one of the best centres going around in world rugby, and I want to play for the All Blacks one day.
"But first I just want to play good footy, I want to win the competition with Toulon and repay the faith that (coach) Tana (Umaga) has shown in me by getting out there and helping this team."
Williams said he was aiming to be part of the All Blacks side for their home World Cup in 2011.
"One hundred per cent," he said when asked about the tournament.
"It's a new game and a new challenge and I know I've got a lot to learn, but I'm excited to be learning off one of the all-time greats in Tana Umaga.
"I think if I am as committed as I was to playing rugby league and learning the game then the next two years will work out."
Williams said his adjustment to the 15-man game was taking time.
"I think probably a forward going into the forwards would be a lot more difficult because there's a lot of things that are different," he said.
"In the backs it's still hard because of all the technical things - it's not as easy as people think.
"I've written down all the plays and that, the plays are pretty simple.
"It's just putting in the time and the effort to go over the finer things and not just being a big head and thinking I'm going to be sweet."
![AAP](https://www.thefanatics.com/images/aaplogo2.gif)
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.