The Chiefs utility has a point to prove as he heads into tonight's clash against the Hurricanes, with his career-best form in 2014 insufficient to earn a call up to the All Blacks training camp.
A perception surrounds Nanai-Williams that he's too small for international rugby; that his ability will keep him on the fringes of the All Blacks squad but his size will prevent him from breaking through.
Nanai-Williams has heard the talk - he has friends to thank for that - and the All Blacks selectors would have to forgive him for disagreeing.
"It was funny to see that - some of the mates were giving me a bit of stick about being too small," he said. "It kind of made me feel like getting in the gym and trying to bench 200 or something to try and get big.
"Currently there's two smaller guys than me playing in the All Blacks, in Aaron Smith and Aaron Cruden. Those guys have got a lot of courage and a lot of heart - that's something I learnt from Cruds.
"A bit of courage and a will to play harder and more aggressive, then anything can happen. I'm happy with my game and if I can do some little things right and be more aggressive, hopefully I can take it to the next level."
Nanai-Williams, at 1.81m and 87kg, does measure up ahead of Cruden (1.78m, 82kg) and Smith (1.71m, 83kg). But, of course, those players occupy the only positions across a backline where you won't find Nanai-Williams on any given week, positions where more protection is offered defensively.
Tonight against the Hurricanes, he'll play fullback. A fortnight ago against the Blues, in the Chiefs' best attacking performance of the season, he ran rampant at centre. And that came after a consistent stint on the wing earlier in the season.
Such versatility has made the 24-year-old indispensable to the Chiefs, who this week re-signed Nanai-Williams for next season. And his form this season, running in five tries while being the only Chiefs back to start at least 10 matches, must at least leave him in the thoughts of the All Blacks selectors.
But even after Charles Piutau was ruled out of the England series, Nanai-Williams never got the call. He just hopes that will one day change.
"It is disappointing but I can't control those things," he said. "All I've got to do is do what I can for this team and do well here. I've got a few things to work on with my game and I maybe have to take my game to another level, then hopefully I can get a look in.
"I'm pretty happy with where things are at the moment but I've just got to keep grinding away with the brothers and hopefully, God willing, one day I'll get that tap on the shoulder."
- By Kris Shannon of APNZ
