Australia has won the three-way tug-o-war for the services of Tony Williams, with the giant Manly winger confirming his allegiance to the green and gold following his selection in the Prime Minister's XIII.

Williams, who played for Tonga in the Pacific Cup last year, became a hot commodity on the representative scene with three countries bidding for talents following several destructive performances for the Sea Eagles in 2010.

With Tonga having already signalled their intentions to pick him in their side for next month's clash against Samoa - which will act as the curtain-raiser to Australia's Four Nations opener against Papua New Guinea at Parramatta Stadium - New Zealand last week named him in their preliminary 43-man squad to compete in the four-team tournament.

But the Australians trumped both by including the man known as 'T-Rex' in the PM's XIII, with players named in the Mal Meninga-coach side to take on Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on September 26 also eligible for Kangaroos selection.

"Tony's allegiances are with Tonga and Australia," Williams' manager Issac Moses told AAP on Tuesday.

Moses said Williams, who was born in western Sydney and whose parents are both from Tonga, would be available for Australian selection for the Four Nations, but if overlooked, would represent for Tonga against Samoa.

Rugby League International Federation development manager Tas Baitieri said that Williams' NRL registration stipulated his country of election was Australia and his country of heritage Tonga.

"Going on his registration we are assuming he would prefer to play for Australia and or Tonga, and at the moment I can't see how by the rules he would qualify for New Zealand," Baitieri said.

With Australia facing a dearth of outside backs - with Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis and Josh Morris all injured and Israel Folau having departed for a career in AFL - Williams is considered some chance of forcing his way into the Kangaroos squad.

His main rival for a berth would appear to be fellow PM's XIII flyer Akuila Uate, who also has dual allegiances having represented Fiji at last year's Pacific Cup.

Prime Minister's XIII squad to play Papua New Guinea on September 26 in Port Moresby:

Matthew Bowen, Luke Douglas, Michael Ennis, Blake Ferguson, Matt Gillett, Jason King, Micheal Luck, James Maloney, Tim Mannah, Jarrod Mullen, Corey Parker (capt), Chris Sandow, Ben Smith, Kade Snowden, David Taylor, Willie Tonga, Akuila Uate, Tony Williams.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP