I've found peace of mind - Williams

Sonny Bill Williams feels accepted after receiving last night's award
29 November 2013

Sonny Bill Williams has fallen back in love with rugby league as he bids to make sporting history.

The Sydney Roosters forward has the chance to become the first player to win the World Cup in both codes of rugby when New Zealand meet Australia at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The 28-year-old was in the All Blacks side that lifted the rugby union World Cup in 2011 and has played a crucial role in the Kiwis' march to the final of the 14th rugby league World Cup.

Williams, who was also a key figure in the Roosters' Grand-Final triumph in his first season back in the NRL, was recognised when he was named international player of the year at the Rugby League International Federation awards night in Manchester on Wednesday.

He was moved to tears after receiving his trophy from former Kangaroos international Andrew Johns when his Kiwis team-mates rose from their seats in the audience to perform an impromptu Haka to mark his achievement.

Williams says it was the moment he realised that he had finally won back the respect he lost when he quit rugby league in controversial circumstances by walking out on his former club Canterbury Bulldogs in 2008.

"The biggest thing for me is I've found peace of mind, in myself as a man," said Williams, who recently turned to Islam. "My religion played a massive part in that.

"I just keep things simple, not get too far ahead of myself.

"It's about earning the respect of my fellow players and coaches. I think that's why I was a little bit emotional.

"I wasn't teary until seeing the boys do the Haka. After the way I left the game I felt I lost a lot of respect but getting the Haka done to you by the brothers was special."

Williams spent five years in rugby union, initially in France, and also began a successful professional boxing career before returning to his first love and admits he was shocked by the strides made in rugby league during his absence.

He says those improvements were brought home to him in part by England forward Sam Burgess, initially in the Roosters' derby with South Sydney and more recently in the World Cup.

"It was very tough coming back," he said. "I didn't appreciate how much the game had changed.

"I came back after five years of playing in the backs with the pretty boys I guess, then big Sammy and Issac Luke showed me that the game had changed a lot physically.

"It took me a good month and a half to get back into it. I was doing extras, going in early before training, doing extra weights to get stronger to try and match it with these boys.

"Probably the biggest thing I've enjoyed is that I've just fell back in love with rugby league again.

"When I first came back I felt I was still a rugby (union) player but now I feel, the way I've carried myself this year, I've earned a lot of respect back.

"You want to walk off the field and be able to look your team-mates in the eyes and know that you have their respect. That's the best feeling in the world and that's probably one thing that I'll miss when I retire."

Williams described the Kiwis' last-gasp semi-final win over England, in which Shaun Johnson scored from the last play at Wembley, as the hardest game he has ever ever played but reckons it could go up another notch at Old Trafford.

"Full credit to the England boys," he said. "I personally thought they were probably the better side but my team showed the guts and determination to put ourselves in a position for Shauny to come with the magic play in the end.

"We're going to have to play even better to match it with the Aussie boys. I'm really excited and looking forward to it.

"It's game on this week and we can create something special but we've got to show up."

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