Rugby: From zero to hero for Jim Williams

The man who smashed the All Blacks at Stadium Australia last month was unwanted by the Wallaby management last year.

The 31-year-old Jim Williams was dropped from the squad, couldn't get a ticket to the Bledisloe Cup match and had to watch it at a mate's pub.

His replacement, Toutai Kefu, was having a wonderful year. But an injury earlier this season has put him on the bench and Williams has seized his chance.

The Aboriginal No 8 remembers this year's Bledisloe Cup match with great fondness.

"It was fantastic. I just loved it from the start, standing in front of the haka, staring into Taine Randell's eyes. While we didn't have the best start, I enjoyed every minute of it with the atmosphere - and I would expect the same thing this weekend."

And last year? "I couldn't even get a ticket and a mate invited me to his pub about 15 minutes' walk away and I watched it there," he said.

"So this year's been a great turnaround - from watching it in a pub to playing it in front of 109,000 people [in Sydney last month]."

Williams is waiting with anticipation for a similar atmosphere at Wellington's much smaller WestpacTrust Stadium today.

"I think the atmosphere will be just as good with the blackout - it's what you play for, playing over here and playing the All Blacks. It's the decider, and you couldn't want any more."

Williams was an outside back when he turned from league to rugby after joining the Army at 16. He moved into the forwards in 1997 and it paid off.

Having marked Ron Cribb in the Super 12 final, he has a high opinion of the All Black's skills.

"I've said all year long that he's one of the best No 8s running around in the world at the moment.

"He's a fantastic player with all the skills that a modern No 8 needs - he can pass, kick, he's a great ball runner, he can do everything. He's a fantastic asset and he's going to be around for a while yet."

And Williams? "Not me, mate. I'm a late bloomer. I'm just looking at next year at the moment."

- NZPA