Quotes from Sonny Bill Williams

I definitely want to play rugby at the top level, international rugby.

I just used to bank on my athleticism.

To be an Olympian - not many people can say that. But first of all, I've got to make the team, and I know a lot of hard work is going to go into it, so hopefully it pays off.

I don't want to let my family down; I don't want to let myself down. That's probably the biggest thing I fear.

I was never going to be a rocket scientist. But I found the field that I was blessed to be able to do, and I just put my whole effort into that.

For myself, it's trying to do my best in whatever I am doing. At this time, it is boxing; then when I get home, I want to be the best father, the best husband, the best man I can be.

Boxing's not in my blood... it just grew on me.

I wouldn't say I am a businessman.

I guess you could say I have grown up, matured. I have seen a lot, and I guess that probably sums it up.

I grew up in a commissioned house in the next suburb over, Mount Abbot. It was a two-bedroom house with me, my brother, and my two sisters. Mum and Dad slept in the lounge, and we didn't have wallpaper.

OK, I floss, I brush my teeth, and I use mouth wash. Does that mean that I love it? That means that I, you know, like to look after my teeth!

There was no way I was going to end up in the scrum when I came to rugby - you know, waste my pretty looks.

To win competitions you need a bit of luck and some talent. I think we have some talent on our bus.

That's the beautiful thing about being a father for the first time; it has really made me get my concentration levels in check.

I don't need a pool room with medals and everything hanging up.

I like the challenge, week in, week out, of trying to play good, consistent footy.

I have learned from my mistakes... the business we are in is cutthroat. I have seen too many older blokes give their all for clubs, then be told they are not wanted. Even blokes still on contract are told to look elsewhere.

Every time you step out on that field, it's tough. There is no easy way to approach it and no short cuts out there.

After that first month in Sydney, I went home for two weeks. I didn't want to ever go back because it was so hard.

By the end of my first year at the Dogs, we'd won the competition, and I'd played some pretty good footy.

If I could go back and change how I left the NRL, I would. My name will forever be tarnished but I wasn't the man I am now.

I am my own man now; I can think for myself, whereas when I was 20, 21, I always wanted to please others.

I have just fallen back in love with rugby league again.

I didn't feel that I really fit in anywhere. So when I was young I always had to prove myself through my sporting ability.