League: Williams doesn’t want tradition changed to accommodate him

SYDNEY - Rising rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams says his main goal is to play State of Origin.

But Williams doesn't want the rules bent just so he can feature in the NRL showcase event.

He stepped into the recent debate over whether New Zealand players should be made eligible for a series that is technically an Australian team selection trial but is considered the sport's biggest challenge.

Exciting Wests Tigers pivot Benji Marshall and Sydney Roosters prop Jason Cayless have recently turned their back on Origin so they can play for New Zealand.

"Yep, for sure [I want to play], but in saying that if they did relax the rules, they would be breaking the tradition of State of Origin," Williams told Channel Nine.

"That's what is so important about it. When I was young I would watch NSW and Queensland going at it.

"It was an awesome feeling ... because, I am proud of where I come from [and] I could see how proud they were [playing for their state] ... "

The New Zealand teenager became arguably rugby league's richest 19-year-old when he signed a two-year contract extension this week, reportedly worth up to A$400,000 ($431,500) a season. It was a sweet reward for his landmark NRL debut season in 2004.

He reportedly knocked back a A$900,000-a-season deal with an English Super League outfit to stay at the Belmore club where he started as a 15-year-old.

- AAP