Sonny Bill Williams opens up about WC selection saga and his passion for league KIWI superstar Sonny Bill Williams has opened up about the controversy which surrounded his inclusion in the New Zealand World Cup squad. The Roosters backrower says he backflipped on the decision to sit out the tournament after rediscovering his passion for rugby league. "I couldn't sleep the night I said I was unavailable," he told the UK's The Guardian. The next morning the team was named and I knew I wanted to play. I'd fallen in love with league again. I knew if I didn't play I'd have regrets the rest of my life. I honestly didn't think a player would have to be dropped. I didn't want to take anyone's [World Cup] spot. Sonny Bill Williams in action during the Rugby League World Cup match between New Zealand and Samoa. Melbourne Storm's Tohu Harris was the player sacrificed for Williams" chance at World Cup glory. When Williams tried to reach out to Harris in an attempt to counsel the backrower he refused to talk to him. "I sent a text to Tohu [Harris] - and tried to get hold of him but he was upset," he said. Rugby league fans still recall that night in 2008 Williams walked out on the game in the dark of night. But Williams reflects on his move to French rugby as one of the most humbling experiences of his life. I was young, brash. I get that attitude from my mum's side - if I've been done wrong then I'll make a stance," he said. I thought the whole world was against me and I needed to run away from things. But France was such a humbling experience because I finally understood that footy is just a little speck in the scheme of things. Who am I to think I'm special because I play sport? Williams also revealed he copped criticism from not only fans but from fellow players who view his flip-flopping between codes as traitorous. I understand the criticism. The rugby guys and the league guys are both staunch," he said. They believe rugby is the game or league is the game. You're a traitor to leave either. Williams intends on helping the Kiwis defend their World Cup title - making him the first player to win a World Cup in league and union - and then returning to Sydney to help the Roosters do the same. His grand ambitions don't end there. He also wants to be a main feature in the All Blacks World Cup campaign in 2015. "It sounds a lot, bro, but that's exactly what I'd love to do," he said. There's a lot of hard work and stiff competition ahead. It's good to be honest and put it all out there as to what I want to achieve. It's going to be intense. But I'm ready for everything.