The forgotten Canberra playmaker has the perfect opportunity to stake his claim for a permanent spot in the NRL when he lines up for the NSW Cup representative team against the Queensland Residents next Wednesday night.

More than 60,000 fans are tipped to be at ANZ Stadium for the match, which is a curtain-raiser to the sold-out State-of-Origin decider.

It's a stark contrast to the couple of hundred supporters Williams has been playing in front of for the past couple of months.

To his credit, the 22-year-old Cooma product hasn't let his demotion from the Raiders get him down, earning his place in the NSW Cup team through strong performances for Mounties. That is despite the uncertainty of not having a contract beyond this year.

''We've had talks with a couple of people and I guess it's getting a bit closer,'' Williams said.

''It's dragged out a bit longer than what I would have liked, but in saying that, I'm still confident we'll get something sorted for next year.''

Williams had been linked to the St George Illawarra Dragons, with reports suggesting the Dragons had withdrawn their offer after the Raiders refused to release him before the June 30 deadline.

''There was a bit of speculation about it, but we never really looked into it too seriously,'' Williams said.

''I think it was just the position [the Dragons] were in and the way they were travelling, and I guess I wasn't playing first grade and people may have seen a fit there.

''My aim always this year was to work my way back into the [NRL] side, and be a part of a premiership-winning Raiders side.

''If the opportunity arises and something comes up where you can play regular first grade, you'd be mad not to take it.

''But in saying that, it would have to be a pretty good deal to get me away from Canberra.''

Williams said he would give the Raiders the final chance to keep him at the club, but they are unlikely to be able to afford him in their salary cap.

Williams has played 40 games since making his first-grade debut with the Raiders in 2011, and also captained the club's under-20s team. He made his debut for Country Origin this year, and will have his parents in the stands when he dons the Sky Blue jersey for the first time. ''I've never had the opportunity to represent NSW in any of the lower grades or schoolboys footy, so I'm very proud to do it,'' he said.

Williams will be joined in the NSW Cup representative team by Raiders second-rower Jake Foster.