He might be suspended at this point in time, after his dangerous tackle on Sharks hooker Issac De Gois some weeks ago, but that has not stopped Manly’s T-Rex from putting his hand up for Origin duties.
In order to remain in peak physical condition should he be selected, Williams has been performing additional training of his own, on top of the training he is doing with the Manly Sea Eagles.
Williams, who performed well for the Kangaroos in last year’s Four Nations, is held in high regard by Blues coach Ricky Stuart – evidenced by Williams being the only non-Origin player, to assemble for a drink with the squad at Christmas time.
In order to know for sure if Williams is staying in shape, former NRL player Craig Fitzgibbon (a member of Stuart’s Origin support staff), has been in regular contact with Williams, to ensure that he is staying in shape.
“I’ve been speaking to Fitzy a little bit; he rings just to make sure I’m keeping up my training and doing all the right things,” Williams said.
“I’ve been doing all the training with the Manly boys but then I’ve also been doing heaps of extras on top of that as well with our trainer Donnie Singe.
“Obviously I’d love to be a part of Origin.
“It’s the best of the best so you want to be involved.
“All I can do for now is put my head down and keep doing all my extra training and hopefully when I come back I can show that I’m ready.”
With four games of his suspension served, Williams is likely to return to the Sea Eagles side on May 20 at Brookvale Oval, in the Sea Eagles clash with the Roosters.
Williams’s return from suspension ties in well with the day that Blues coach Ricky Stuart, will announce his NSW squad for Game 1 of the State of Origin series.
“Once I get back, my focus is to try and play 80 minutes every week for Manly, that’s what Tooves wants me to do,” Williams said.
Although he has an option in his favour to remain at Manly for season 2013, Williams has been linked to a number of rival NRL clubs for season 2013, with the Eels and Bulldogs the two front-runners.
Whilst Williams knows of the interest, he prefers to focus on getting back onto the field for Manly.
“I’m just concentrating on training and getting back and playing 80 minutes every week for Manly,” Williams said.
“I leave all the contract stuff up to my manager. It’s not a concern at the moment.”