SONNY BILL WILLIAMS could be free to play in the end-of-season rugby league World Cup if his bid to join French rugby union club Toulon is blocked by the courts.

While Stade Francais-bound Dragons captain Mark Gasnier was omitted from a 46-man Australian squad named yesterday following his decision to switch codes at the end of the season, World Cup organisers would have no objection to Williams playing for New Zealand if he were available.

Despite NRL chief executive David Gallop proposing to impose a lifetime ban on Williams for walking out on the Bulldogs, he would be a massive drawcard for the tournament, and officials could even promote New Zealand's matches as a possible last chance to see the Kiwis superstar play league.

"At this stage, Sonny Bill Williams is still a registered rugby league player," Rugby League International Federation chairman and tournament director Colin Love said. "He is contracted to the Bulldogs, and provided that is still the case, he would be eligible to play."

Wayne Bennett, Kiwis assistant coach and mentor to Stephen Kearney, will announce the New Zealand squad in Auckland next Friday but there is little doubt Williams will be in - possibly with sacked Bulldogs playmaker Arana Taumata.

"Like everyone else, we are waiting to find out what his status is," New Zealand Rugby League general manager Peter Cordtz said of Williams. In contrast, Australian officials were firm in their view that Gasnier was not eligible for selection as his contract with the Dragons expires on October 31.

"The tournament is not even halfway over and he's not a rugby league player so I think those circumstances would have made it difficult for him to be picked," Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said.

Asked if Gasnier had wanted to be considered for the World Cup, Carr said: "Not to my knowledge, but the fact he is no longer a rugby league player as of November 1 would have made it difficult."

In a surprise move after Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart had stated he didn't think any players leaving the NRL should play for Australia, English Super League-bound veterans Danny Buderus and Michael Crocker were included.

"In discussions with a couple of selectors, they felt that Danny Buderus and Michael Crocker weren't deserting rugby league in Australia, they felt that they had given absolutely great service here and had just got to that stage where they had moved so they could lengthen their careers a little," Carr said.

"It's not as if they are 21-year-olds going to another comp, they have been out-and-out champions for Australia and in Origin."

The most notable omissions from the Kangaroos squad were Eels second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh and Dragons prop Jason Ryles.