There is no great science behind Nonu's approach - he gets his hands on the ball and heads in the right direction. Things that get in his way are bumped out of his way and these days, if he's not sure, he won't guess.
The beauty of his approach is that it is not dependent on some clever trick that defences will soon work out and learn how to nullify him. His intentions are clear for everyone to see and understand. When 104kg goes on the charge, being forewarned is not being forearmed.
The pressure is now on Williams to produce similarly direct and effective rugby. The next few weeks will be a test of his attitude as well as his ability. Hunger is a commodity easier to talk about than it is to demonstrate and Williams' omission from the 22 last night carried a whiff of deliberate provocation. The selectors want to see how he responds to adversity. Like some teenager with a crush, they have done all the chasing to bring Williams to this point.
Maybe now they need to see something in return - test just how much he wants to be an All Black. So far it's mainly been wet, cool grass to walk over; now it's time for Williams to cross the hot coals. He cut a forlorn figure at training on Thursday, slumped against the fence while his team-mates continued to practise their individual skills. Not playing is not part of the grand vision but no one ever scored an All Black jersey by throwing a tantrum.
His omission may also have been partly about trying to bring his ongoing contract saga to a head. For all his assurances he will sign on for one more year, Williams hasn't actually put pen to paper and the procrastination is undoubtedly a source of frustration for the All Black management.
The other 29 World Cup squad members have committed their futures and no one is comfortable that Williams is a loose end. The biggest fear since he arrived in New Zealand last year has always been Williams dancing to a different tune. The flexibility in his contract that allows him to box, his no show at a scheduled media day earlier this month and now his lone wolf status as the only player not committed past 2011, are all fuelling the perception of Williams sitting outside the parameters in place for everyone else.
Despite speculation there are any number of problems with the offer that has been made, including a wrangle over sponsorship in that he wants to promote a product in competition with an existing All Black sponsor, the delay in Williams' signing may also be due to his inability to make his mind up between the Chiefs and Blues.
It is hoped all that will be tidied up in the next week or so and Williams can begin the World Cup without any mental clutter because while he's on the edge of the picture now, the selectors' faith has never wavered. As long as they sense that Williams' head space is good; that his attitude is right, then they will give him opportunities to make an impact at the Cup.
They have been quite happy for his build-up to be low key. The reality of modern rugby is that the more a player with a gimmick is sighted, the more teams will work him out. The All Blacks want to keep some element of surprise for the World Cup.
"He gets quite a bit of publicity because of who he is and where he came from. But he's like everyone else, once he gets a chance he's got to nail it," says Graham Henry of Williams.
"These chances will come. This group is about 30 players doing the job and some players will get more opportunities than others. It is going to depend on how people perform and on injury but, if the All Blacks are going to win the World Cup, it is going to be a 30-man effort."
The battle for the No 12 jersey is by no means over. If there is to be another major plot twist, Williams has to deliver something irresistible the next time he's given a chance.
