Halfback Sam Williams doesn't regret his defection to the St George Illawarra Dragons last season, but says he's returning to the Canberra Raiders as a more complete player and is determined to establish himself as an NRL starter.
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Frustrated at being stuck behind Raiders veteran halves Terry Campese and Josh McCrone, Williams left the Raiders last year looking for opportunity with the Dragons. The move backfired when the Dragons signed Benji Marshall from rugby union mid-season to play alongside Gareth Widdop, putting another roadblock in Williams' way.
The 23-year-old played just four NRL matches with the Dragons, before switching to the UK Super League with France's Catalans Dragons. Williams rejoins the Raiders on a two-year deal from next season, but said he didn't regard 2014 as a waste.
"It's not something I'd regret at all," Williams said. "I got the opportunity to go to St George, experience a different club and play with some great players and learn from them.
"Then coming to France, it's one of the best things I've done. I'm very lucky to experience the Super League, play a different style of football and still have the opportunity to return to the NRL. The last 12 months has certainly been a whirlwind adventure, but it's something I wouldn't change for the world.
"It was a tough call to leave the Raiders, but at the same time I think it was the right move. Things don't always work out like you want them to in professional sport, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and make those calls. To be coming back now is something I'm pretty excited about."
Williams burst into the NRL in 2011 as a 19-year-old, playing more games in his rookie year than any season since. While the Cooma junior admitted he had been frustrated to be stuck behind established players, Williams said he wouldn't be backing away from the fight to become an NRL starter.
"At this stage of my career it's important I start trying to play a lot of games in a row," Williams said. "I felt I've played my best football when I've been able to be in the team for a period of weeks and establish combinations. But I need to get back to Canberra and earn the right to be in the team for an extended period. That's my goal over the next couple of years.
"Being behind Campo and Josh [McCrone] was a bit difficult, but it's the same reason why I left St George with Benji and Gareth [Widdop] there, they're two great players and I didn't see an opportunity for the rest of the season and going forward after that ... My decisions to go to St George and then France were about getting as much experience in the top level as I can.
"I'm under no illusions of the hard work I need to do to earn my spot at Canberra. I feel if I train well and play well then there could be an opportunity. I'm keen to get back and prove why I should be in the team."
Williams is one of three Raiders recruits from the Super League, with English hooker Josh Hodgson coming to test himself in Australia and former Sydney Roosters backrower Iosia Soliola returning to the NRL after five seasons with St Helens.
"I think a lot of the time in the NRL we maybe underestimate the value of the Super League and some of the players in the game," Williams said. "Because the Australian national team has been so dominant, we probably forget how many good players there are over here. I think it's good the Raiders have seen something in the Super League.
"I spoke to Josh [Hodgson] after we played Hull a couple of weeks ago. He's a very aggressive hooker and will go all day. He's a real competitor, so there's no reason he won't be an influential player in Canberra.
"It's a more expansive style in the UK: the ball gets thrown around a little bit more and there's a little less emphasis on structure. It's exciting to play in a different environment."
