Rugby: Williams back in familiar territory

Paul Williams' father is 1970s All Black Bryan Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Paul Williams is back home, back in blue and white and back at fullback.

And in an Auckland team which has not earned the plaudits of coach Mark Anscombe, Williams has been one of their more consistent performers in the national championship.

He is picked again in his preferred fullback role for Sunday's away match against Tasman and with the series heading for the playoffs, knows Auckland cannot afford many more stumbles if they are to be involved in those matches.

"I've played in a few roles, but fullback is my favourite, I think I can contribute best from there, I feel I can read the game better from there get more involved and I can direct players round me as well," Williams said.

His play impressed the national selectors enough last season for Williams to be drafted into the All Black squad when he was on call for the internal tests against England.

Williams' card remained unmarked so he is still a player with the option of dual eligibility for New Zealand or Samoa through the family bloodlines of his legendary All Black father of the 1970s, Bryan Williams.

Elder brother Gavin plays for Samoa, also at fullback, and is earning his off-season coin with the Clermont club in France but Paul Williams does not want to take up that international option.

Not yet anyway.

"I want to take my rugby as far as I can in New Zealand," he said.

Williams, 26, made the Highlanders as a teenager in 2003, but after six matches badly broke his leg and suffered complications for several seasons.

"The leg has not worried me for some time now, it has been really good.

"I've enjoyed the opportunities rugby gave me in the deep south but it is nice now to be back in Auckland with family, school friends and my old club," he said.

Williams has a business degree and away from the rugby field, keeps his brain ticking over with the online challenge of marketing different products every six weeks.

He tried getting some part-time accountancy work in Christchurch but it did not quite dovetail with his professional sporting life.

He works five days a week with training, lectures, meetings, analysis, physio and every other little thing which involves players outside matchday, filling up his diary.

He played for the Blues, then had some club games for Ponsonby before he got into the national championship.

At times it was tough to retain total enthusiasm, especially when sides were struggling but Auckland were very concentrated on the last part of the national championship.

"There is a lot to play for, this is the time when we want to achieve.

"Then after Auckland, I am pursuing an All Black jersey and that is where my desires lie," he added.