Williams: I felt like an All Black ‘extra’
The 25-year-old former New Zealand rugby league cap made the switch to rugby union with ambitious French outfit Toulon in 2008, before taking a sizeable pay cut to move to Canterbury and fulfil his dream of becoming an All Black.
He earned his first international call-up for of the current Grand Slam tour and has proven to be one of the stars of the trip, with his off-loading ability allowing the tourists to unlock defences almost at will.
He set up the opening try on his debut in the Kiwis’ win over England at Twickenham before playing a part in four more in their hammering of Scotland at Murrayfield.
He made do with a place on the bench in Ireland last time out but has replaced Ma’a Nonu in the starting XV for tomorrow’s potential Grand Slam clincher at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
“I feel more confident now because I know the roles in the game plan,” he said. “When I know what’s going on, it gives me more confidence to express myself. I know the boys now and there are no excuses.
“It’s been great to be on this tour. I think at the start of the first week I felt like an extra walking around with the boys, I was still in awe of them because the All Blacks are such a big brand.
“But after getting to know them you realise they are normal guys and I am getting more comfortable as part of the squad.”
Coach Graham Henry says the decision to choose the raw ability of Williams over the experience of Nonu is down to the eye-catching form the newcomer has shown. But Williams said: “I know I am not the finished article or the number one number 12 in the country. Ma’a Nonu is, but they are giving me time to find my feet.
“It’s not a case of me being selected in front of Ma’a, it’s just about me being given the chance to continue learning and improving. Ma’a is a good man and he has taken me under his wing. I have learned more from him than anyone else.
“He is happy for me to get experience. I am just happy with how things have been going and it’s always special to start for the All Blacks.”
Williams is similarly unassuming when asked about the outrageous offloading skills that have left pundits purring.
And he laughed off suggestions that his skills were a poor reflection on his colleagues in the 15-a-side code.
“I haven’t heard that, I wish it was true,” he joked. “I am the same as any player. Those tackles out there still feel the same and it still makes your shoulders hurt.
“It’s surprising to me how analysed rugby union is, it’s like every man and his dog has an opinion. I guess it’s because it’s a global game, whereas league is a two- or three-country game.
“With all the talk about me it means there is an added pressure so I need to perform.”
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