Sam Williams wants to repay the Canberra Raiders for giving him another NRL chance, adamant he can slot straight back into the starting halfback role in his comeback game on Sunday night.
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The Raiders will unleash a three-man playmaker assault on the Gold Coast Titans in round one, with Williams taking the No.7 reins, Aidan Sezer to start at five-eighth and Blake Austin shifting to the bench.
Coach Ricky Stuart announced the new-look combination on Tuesday, while Siliva Havili will get the first opportunity to replace Josh Hodgson at hooker.
Williams is back in Canberra for a third stint at the Green Machine after gaining a year of valuable experience in the UK Super League last season.
His presence has given the Raiders' more depth and Williams is bracing for a season-long battle with Sezer and Austin for starting spots.
"If you don't think you're going to improve [every year], then you're wasting your time," Williams said.
"I'm 26, if I didn't feel I could come back and be a better player, I'd be kidding myself. I've got no doubt another 12 months of growing and learning, understanding the game from a different perspective ... there's no doubt you'll improve.
"I enjoyed my time overseas, but ultimately this is the club I want to be at. I've always wanted to be at the Raiders.
"I want to enjoy my footy and respect what this club has given me. They've given me another opportunity in the NRL, I just love representing the Raiders, wearing the green and [representing] the people of Canberra and the region."
The Raiders' extended bench includes Dunamis Lui, Charlie Gubb, Brad Abbey, Royce Hunt and Craig Garvey.
Lui could make his comeback from a knee injury, while Gubb, Abbey and Garvey are all pushing for their first Raiders appearance.
The starting side is largely similar to the one that finished last season, with Williams and Havili the only new faces.
Tongan international Havili was recruited after Hodgson ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the World Cup. The England star will likely miss most of the NRL season.
That has opened the door for Havili to fill the lime green No. 9 jersey, while Austin, Williams and Sezer could all spend time at dummy half during games.
"Losing Hodgo was a big loss at the time, he's been around the training paddock and has taught a few of the young fellas some of the tricks," said Josh Papalii.
"[Havili] will handle it all right. He had a good World Cup campaign there and I think he'll do all right."
The Raiders are hoping existing combinations and a desire to make amends for a disappointing season last year will help ignite their campaign in the clash against the Titans.
Williams is just hoping to play well enough to secure his place after being in and out of the team since making his NRL debut in 2011.
In his seven-year professional career, Williams has had stints at Canberra, St George Illawarra, the Catalans Dragons, back to the Raiders, Wakefield Trinity and back to Canberra again.
"The biggest thing for me is to make every opportunity count. I went into the pre-season knowing I was going to have to work hard for an opportunity," Williams said.
"I'm more excited than anyone else about wanting to play, I know I'll be ready. It's about going out there trying to perform.
"I've come in and out [of the Raiders team] enough to know there's no point being complacent. I've just got to go out there and give myself a chance of playing as many games as I can and be a part of a winning club."
NRL ROUND ONE
Sunday: Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders at Gold Coast, 6.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox League.
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Aidan Sezer, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Joe Tapine, 13. Elliott Whitehead. Bench from: 14. Blake Austin, 15. Luke Bateman , 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Sia Soliola, 18. Charlie Gubb, 19. Brad Abbey, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Craig Garvey.
