New Zealand selectors are preparing to be without Sydney Roosters superstar Sonny Bill Williams for the end of season World Cup and will view his availability for the Kiwis title defence as a bonus.
Williams, who is undecided between another season with the Roosters or returning to New Zealand rugby union next year, has been non-commital about his World Cup intentions in recent discussions with Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney.
With the 24-man New Zealand squad due to be announced on Tuesday, Williams has promised to advise officials of his availability after Sunday nights grand final but selectors are resigned to being without the dual international.
However, his withdrawal from the tournament may not mean that the 28-year-old is leaving the code as he is certain to box during the off-season after beating South Africas Francois Botha for the WBA international heavyweight belt in February.
Roosters supremo Nick Politis has been working behind the scenes to secure Williams for another season and NRL chief executive Dave Smith wants to ensure he remains in the game, with the salary cap set to be revamped to ensure there is no repeat of the fiasco which resulted in the code missing out on Israel Folau.
If Williams declares himself available for the Kiwis, he could be one of up to 11 Roosters players chosen for the World Cup, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck certanties for New Zealand.
Hooker Jake Friend is under consideration for a place in the Australian squad as Cameron Smiths deputy, while Michael Jennings could seal a centre berth in Sundays grand final. Boyd Cordner is an outside chance.
Fullback Anthony Minichiello and secondrower Aiden Guerra will line up for Italy, while Frank-Paul Nu'uausala could join Isaac Liu in the Samoa team if the Kiwis dont choose him and Daniel Tupou and Sam Moa are certain selections for Tonga.
Manlys Daly Cherry-Evans will be in the Kangaroos squad announced on Monday, along with Anthony Watmough if fit, while the Stewart brothers, Brett and Glenn, and David Williams will come under consideration.
Kieran Foran is a certain selection for New Zealand and Justin Horo has been named in a 40-man squad given to World Cup organisers, while Brent Kite (Tonga), Jorge Taufua (Samoa) and James Hasson (Ireland) will also play in the tournament.
Hasson, who has been named alongside Canberras Brett White in the Ireland squad, is vying with David Gower to replace the injured Richie Faaoso in the Sea Eagles grand final team.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson is also due to make a decision on Saturday on the 17 players who will line-up against Manly, with Cordner declaring himself fit on Friday.
Sea Eagles officials say Brett Stewart is in no doubt for the match after withdrawing from The Footy Show on Thursday night due to the flu and have dismissed speculation that he had aggravated the hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks until the grand final qualifier against South Sydney.
