KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Having played just six tests in four years, Kiwis star Sonny Bill Williams feels ready to make a statement in international rugby league on Friday night.
A focused Williams yesterday gave a glowing assessment of new Kiwis coaches Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett and spoke of
the team's desire to right the "disaster" of last year.
Just don't mention Willie Mason or the All Blacks.
Williams said he'd lost respect for Mason in a much-publicised television interview and told the Sun-Herald newspaper he hadn't spoken to his friend and former Bulldogs teammate since he defected to the Roosters last year.
The pair stood metres from each other yesterday as both teams posed for the centenary test photograph in their replica uniforms at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Asked whether any pleasantries were exchanged, Williams said: "Like I said, we (Kiwis) are just concentrating on this week."
Mason was muzzled by Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart yesterday but is scheduled to address the media tomorrow.
Williams also told the Nine Network last week he was in the market for a code switch to the All Blacks, even though he has five years to run on his Bulldogs contract.
When a journalist remarked the Kiwis' centenary jersey was similar to that of their rugby-playing counterparts, Williams was having nothing of it.
"Sweet," he said, before abruptly terminating the press conference.
An injury-free and in-form Williams looms as a key gamebreaker for the Kiwis against a Kangaroos side boasting a tough pack and brilliant backline.
His previous test was the 6-30 loss to the Kangaroos in Brisbane a year ago, before injury ruled him out of the 0-58 hiding in October and the 0-3 series loss in England.
"After 2005, beating them 24-0 in the Tri-Nations final then losing in golden point (in the 2006 final), it's been a bit of a disaster since then," he said.
"We want to turn it around and I think this bunch of boys can do something. The professionalism that the coaches bring is second to none."
The Kangaroos' selection of hardmen Paul Gallen and Carl Webb to make their debuts suggests the hosts will try to hammer the Kiwis up front with their bigger pack.
With clever ball-playing back rowers like himself and Frank Pritchard, Williams said the Kiwis would play smarter.
"We know it's going to be a tough physical game and I'd like to think our boys have a few more brains than that.
"We're not going in there with that frame of mind.
"I'm very keen to (stamp my mark). It's an historic event, an honour to be involved in it. Like the other 16 blokes I want to shine and play my best footy."
Fullback Brent Webb arrived from England late last night while halfback Thomas Leuluai is due from London tonight.
Williams insisted the Kiwis had the talent to compete in the crucial jerseys numbered one, six, seven and nine - areas the Kangaroos appear to have a clear advantage.
"(Hooker) Issac Luke's a tough little player and that's what we need. Very fit, very agile. Him and (five-eighth) Ben Roberts, Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai have just got that spark we need.
"Ben's got untapped potential. He's got all the assets, he just lacks a bit of experience and he's only going to benefit from more game time."
- NZPA