SBW relishes the true tests

meaningful one and enjoy being back in that tough environment.

‘‘That environment is where the pressure is at an all-time high because when you step out on that field there’s a benchmark you always have to uphold playing in that black jersey.

‘‘I love that, and at my age, and where I am, it’s all about a meaningful experience. That’s the thing I focus on and when all that comes to fruition I get a good performance.’’

Williams’ motivation levels are high in his second start to the 2018 campaign, after sitting out that long stint with his fractured wrist.

But not just to be rugby player he can be.

‘‘Bro, I’ve got heaps of goals, and footy is just part of me. My goals focus around me as a person, being a father, being a husband, and how am I as a person. If I have those ticking along the footy just seems to fall into that because I’m a driven individual.

‘‘I appreciate my wife, my kids, but I also appreciate the hard work that goes on within these four walls at the Blues, and I show my gratitude by getting up the best early and doing my extras and staying up late doing my recovery.’’

Williams doesn’t particularly care for media interviews, and avoids them when he can. But he shouldn’t. He is a reflective and refreshing chat, and articulates his motivations well.

He is an empathetic individual too. Even after his team’s challenge against the Hurricanes stalled around the 50-minute mark, and they saw a 15-14 lead morph into a 36-15 defeat – their eighth of the season – he found a positive to share.

‘‘I said to the boys after the game I was proud to share the field with them that night because you could see they emptied their tank. That’s a big thing for us with all the adversity we’ve faced this year.

‘‘Obviously there are things we need to work on which are individual errors or skillset things, but something that should be a non-negotiable is that work ethic. I feel like we’ve shown that the last couple of weeks.’’

Williams says it’s been difficult watching his team negotiate the injuries, the form lapses and the defeats. ‘‘I see the adversity the boys have had to deal with, and not being out there to physically help them is tough. As rugby players that’s what we know how to do.’’

But now he can do his bit. Make his tackles. Flick out his offloads. Inspire his team-mates.