On the verge of being consigned to the NRL scrapheap just a year ago, Manly winger David Williams has today risen to the pinnacle of rugby league, after being named in the Kangaroos squad for the World Cup later this month.
Following an injury-riddled 2007 season with Parramatta, 22-year-old Williams was all but resigned to a return to park football, before the Sea Eagles threw him a lifeline.
"Unless Manly picked me up I probably was heading back to the (Baulkham) Hills Bulls," said Williams shortly after learning of his selection in the 24-man squad.
Speculation had been mounting that Williams was set to be handed an Australian jumper following a barnstorming debut NRL season, but the laid-back outside back refused to buy into the talk in the lead up to the announcement.
"A few people were saying it, but I just thought it was all hype, I didn't actually think it was going to happen.
"We're out at Manly at the moment, still continuing our Mad Monday celebrations, and my phone's been dead for the last couple of days, so Glenn Stewart came and told me to spread the good news," said the Parramatta junior.
And in breaking news, the abundance of facial hair that has earned Williams the moniker ''Wolfman,'' along with a cult following, is no more.
"I got pinned down the other day, and the boys decided to shear me," laughed Williams.
Australia kick off their World Cup defence on October 26 against New Zealand.
