New Zealand rugby league back rower Sonny Bill Williams said Thursday his decision to sign with French union side Toulon was partly motivated by a desire to play for the All Blacks.

Williams on Tuesday signed a lucrative one-year deal with Toulon, with an option for a second season, turning his back on a five-year contract with Australian rugby league side, the Canterbury Bulldogs.

"There's a lot of achievement, a lot of goals that I've set myself," Williams told Australian television Thursday evening.

"You know, I'm with an icon, (All Blacks legend) Tana Umaga, who I really think I can learn a lot from, and I want to play for the All Blacks one day, so that keeps me motivated.

"One day I want to be the best centre, because that's the position I want to play. I want to be the best centre in the world," he added.

Williams, who wants to play for the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup, criticised the Bulldogs and the National Rugby League. He also revealed a rift with Canterbury coach Steve Folkes.

The Bulldogs and NRL have initiated legal action to get an injunction to stop him from playing in France, concerned his move could open the door for a mass exit of NRL stars to cashed-up clubs in Europe.

Williams said he did not believe players were being adequately rewarded in the NRL and the lucrative offer from Toulon factored into his decision.

"If a lawyer, if a teacher, if a bus driver, if they're on 40,000 dollars and they get offered a lot more to go somewhere else, what do you think they're going to do?" Williams said. "It's just common sense."

The brilliant 23-year-old is expected to debut for Toulon and play inside centre against Carque-Hyeres on Saturday, and in doing so, incur a lifetime ban from the NRL.

He was unrepentant about the move, saying he hoped he had set an example for other players.

"I'm no coward you know. I stood up for myself and I stood up for player rights."

AFP

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