League: Sonny Bill hungry to face Kangaroos

Kiwi star Sonny Bill Williams says missing out on New Zealand's Tri-Nations rugby league triumph last year has made him all the more motivated for this week's Anzac test.

Williams was last night named in a 19-man squad to prepare for the clash with Australia in Brisbane on Friday night.

He returned to action for the Bulldogs only a fortnight ago after 10 months out, firstly with of a knee problem and then because of stress fractures to both feet.

He described watching the Kiwis' successful passage through the Tri-Nations in October and November, while he had no chance of taking part, as a frustrating experience.

"It was frustrating sitting on the sidelines watching the boys and to see them do so well," he said.

"I think that's just given me motivation to try to make the side."

Williams made the Bulldogs' run-on side yesterday for the first time since his comeback, and played the full 80 minutes in a 30-16 win over the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

He operated at centre rather that his usual position in the back row, and produced a solid performance, with occasional flashes of his offloading ability.

Williams said he knew early in the week that he would be in the starting 13, even though he was listed on the bench in the match programme.

Injury to Andrew Emelio, and the fact that Cameron Phelps was only just returning from a spell on the sidelines, had opened up a vacancy in the centres.

Williams was pleased with the way he pulled up after lasting the distance.

"I struggled a bit out there fitness-wise," he said.

"The only way I'm going to get fit is by playing, so it was good to get a good 80-minute hit-out."

Williams' four caps were all gained in 2004. Injury also ruled him out of last year's Anzac test.

Club coach Steve Folkes said Williams' display against the Warriors was a step up from the previous two weeks.

"Obviously he made a couple of errors, but certainly he was more involved and playing 80 minutes is a bonus for him and for us," he said.

"He did a couple of nice things with the footy."

Asked if the Kiwis should put Williams in their starting 13 or ease him into the test by putting him on the bench, Folkes said he had no say in the matter.

However, if the Kiwis wanted 80 minutes from him at Suncorp Stadium, playing him wider out at centre would be the way to go.

"If they're going to play him in the centres, he can obviously get through an 80-minute game," Folkes said.

"I would think he would struggle to get through 80 minutes if he played in the back row. I guess it depends on how they plan to use him."

The West Tigers have said they want mercurial five-eighth Benji Marshall, who is returning earlier than expected from a shoulder injury, to play no more than 60 minutes in the test.

- NZPA