Reni Maitua aiming to poach Sonny Bill Williams for Samoa's rugby league World Cup team Sonny Bill Williams (L) and Reni Maitua are still mates from their days together at the Bulldogs. Picture: Porteous Gregg Source: The Daily Telegraph RUGBY league minnows Samoa are planning to steal Sonny Bill Williams from New Zealand to even the field at this year's World Cup. Eels back rower Reni Maitua yesterday revealed he will attempt to poach the prodigal superstar, who is just weeks away from making his NRL comeback with the Roosters. Although he played one test for Australia in 2006, Maitua has spoken to Samoan patriarch Nigel Vagana about changing his International allegiance for the end-of-season tournament. And he wants former Bulldogs team mate Williams by his side in the second row. The pair have remained close friends through Williams' five-year defection to rugby union, with the dual International seeking Maitua's advice about his cross-code options a year ago. "I want to sit down with Sonny Bill," Maitua said. I'm hoping we can convince him to play for Samoa. He's ticked a lot of boxes for New Zealand now, winning a World Cup in rugby. I know Sonny well and I know he's really passionate about his Samoan background. Williams is eligible to represent the tiny Island nation through his father's heritage. But extreme doubt remains over whether Williams will be a registered rugby league player for the duration of the World Cup. His short-term contract with the Roosters expires on 31 October just five days after the tournament begins. Should Williams decide to take another off-season sabbatical in boxing or rugby, it's unlikely he'll be allowed to participate. Sources close to his camp have told The Daily Telegraph that more fights are likely to be scheduled at the end of the year. Williams returned from Japan last Sunday, but only spent a few days in Sydney ahead of preparations for his next bout against Francois Botha this Friday night in Brisbane. He will report for duty at the Roosters the following Monday. Vagana was successful in convincing a number of high-profile Kiwis to switch camps at the 2008 World Cup, but Williams would give him a weapon capable of frightening Australia, New Zealand and England. "World Cups don't come around that often and a lot of those guys have Samoan heritage," Maitua said. I would love to field the strongest side possible. New Zealand is not going to be happy with me making these comments, but we need to grow the game. It's not just about Australia and New Zealand. The Pacific nations like Fiji and Tonga they can rattle the big teams if they get the right players together. Maitua is yet to officially change his allegiance, but wants to honour his father's background. "It would be a huge honour to represent Samoa, the country where my father was born and raised," he said. I've already had some discussions with Nigel Vagana, but it's still a long way down the track.