Williams is beginning to feel less like an 'extra'

RUGBY:NEW ZEALAND centre Sonny Bill Williams will be one of the main box-office attractions when the tourists face Wales today, but admits he felt like an "extra" when he first joined up with the All Blacks. The 25-year-old former New Zealand rugby league cap made the switch to union with 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 the current tour and has proven to be one of the stars of the trip with his offloading 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 today’s potential Grand Slam clincher at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. And, despite the apparent ease with which he has made the step up to Test level, the former NRL star admits he was in awe of some of his team-mates when he joined up with the squad for the first time. “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 the player himself humbly insists his rival is the number one player in his position. 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.”

Williams is similarly unassuming when asked about the outrageous offloading skills that have left pundits purring during this tour. And he laughed off suggestions 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 and it’s not over-analysed. With all the talk about me it means there is an added pressure so I need to perform.”

Success today would seal a third Grand Slam of the Home Unions in just six seasons. The tourists are expected to run out comfortable winners and extend their unbeaten run against Wales to 58 years, with their hosts having turned in an awful display in last weekend’s draw against Fiji.

While Williams is desperate to finish his first tour with a Grand Slam to his name, he expects himself and centre partner Conrad Smith to have their work cut out against the Wales midfield pairing of James Hook and Tom Shanklin.

“A Grand Slam would be something to look back on and be very proud of,” says Williams. “But Wales will be hurting, a bit like Ireland were. They will test us more as a backline than any other team, we will have to be on our toes.”

15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs)

14 Isaia Toeava (Blues)

13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)

12 Sonny Bill Williams (Crusaders)

11 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes)

10 Dan Carter (Crusaders)

9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders)

1 Tony Woodcock (Blues)

2 Keven Mealamu (Blues)

3 Owen Franks (Crusaders)

4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders)

5 Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

6 Jerome Kaino (Blues)

7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders)

8 Kieran Read (Crusaders)

Replacements: Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), John Afoa (Blues),

Anthony Boric (Blues), Daniel Braid (Queensland Reds), Andy Ellis (Crusaders), Stephen Donald (Chiefs), Maa Nonu (Hurricanes).

Millennium Stadium, 5.15pm, Live on Setanta Ireland, BBC 2

Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).

Touch judges: J Kaplan (South Africa) D Changleng (Scotland)

(Ospreys) Lee Byrne

(Scarlets) George North

(Blues) Tom Shanklin

(Ospreys) James Hook

(Blues) Tom James

(Scarlets) Stephen Jones

(Ospreys) Mike Phillips

(Blues) Gethin Jenkins

(Scarlets) Matthew Rees

(Ospreys) Adam Jones

(Blues) Bradley Davies

(Ospreys) Alun Wyn Jones

(Dragons) Dan Lydiate

(Blues) Sam Warburton

(Ospreys) Ryan Jones

Replacements: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Blues), Martyn Williams (Blues), Richie Rees (Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys).