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According to the stuff.co.nz website, Williams, who has just returned to the NRL and continues to impress, has given the Kiwis an enormous boost before this month's Test by making himself available, while also ensuring he can also play in the World Cup. That has Sheens, whose team will likely have to combat Williams on April 19, wary.
''He's started the season strongly,'' Sheens said. ''He's played well. They've got a lot more than just him, obviously. But he's going to add to the ability of that side.
''It puts us further on notice; they're the world champions, and we're certainly going to have to be at our best to hold him off. It starts with this test.''
Williams has not played for the Kiwis since 2008 - the season he walked out on the Bulldogs - but he clearly shapes as one of the squad's strike weapons. The Kiwis won the last World Cup, also in 2008, without Williams, and now he is expected to be part of the squad Sheens expects more pressure to be heaped on his side.
''He's got a long year in front of him, but you can only think if he stays healthy, he's going to get better,'' Sheens said. ''He's had four or five years out of the game, but his figures are coming back stronger and stronger.
''Our job will be to limit what he can do but also to concern ourselves with what will be a very good Kiwi side. We need to keep reminding ourselves that they are the current world champions, and Williams will add to the fact that they are a very good side. He's a quality player … so we're going to have to work a little harder.
''We might be rated at some stage as favourites, but we've got to do the job. This test is a start, and we need to make sure we get ourselves ready for the World Cup with a good, strong game.''
