A relaxed Sonny Bill Williams is relishing the prospect of a semi-final showdown with Australia this weekend and admits he has surprised himself with his form at the Rugby World Cup.
Williams told a press conference at Trusts Stadium in Waitakere this afternoon he felt he had proved doubters wrongwith his performances in the black jersey so far. He played down suggestions that the Wallabies could try to exploit him if he featured on the wing again - a position less familiar to the versatile All Black.
"I think I've surprised myself how well I went on the wing. I didn't think I could do it - some people didn't think I could play rugby, but I've shown them that I can. I'm always a confident player. If I'm put out there I know that I'll do the job as best I can and just do all the little things, and hopefully it comes good."
He has crossed for four tries so far this tournament and said he wasn't feeling the pressure ahead of Sunday's clash at Eden Park, but is desperate to be get the nod from Graham Henry.
"Hopefully I get picked and I'm involved. If I am, it's going to be great. There's nothing better than this stage, it's pretty much the whole reason I came back here to try and test myself against the best players and try and make this team."
Williams and Quade Cooper - his good friend and Wallaby Rival - have both been in the spotlight during the Rugby World Cup, but usually for contrasting reasons. Williams said he has been in touch with him, but wouldn't be doing him any favours come kick-off on Sunday.
"He's a good mate, but on the field it's a different story. I want to win for New Zealand and he wants to win for Australia."
"Obviously us being a proud rugby nation, we see him as the enemy so to speak. But I think he's handled himself pretty well. I think [the attention has been] a sign of respect as well because when people are hating on him that much it just shows how good a talent he is."
All Black half-back Andy Ellis praised Williams' ability to deal with the spotlight and said he "genuinely loves the team and wants it to do well".
"When you get him away from the spotlight he's quite a quiet and humble sort of a guy that loves a joke. He's got a good head on him and he knows very much it's about the team."
