Raiders get fifth Pom
Meet the Pommy halfback about to be thrown into the Green Machine furnace.
Wigan and England player George Williams spoke for the first time yesterday about the pressure and expectation he would be under at his new club, Canberra, from next season.
Williams, 24, will fight for the coveted No.7 jumper – made famous by current coach Ricky Stuart - with incumbent Aidan Sezer, who guided Canberra into this year’s grand final.
Asked by The Daily Telegraph whether he would be playing under immediate pressure, Williams said: “One-hundred per cent – that’s sport.
“There is pressure anywhere you play, there is pressure on me at Wigan.
“I look forward to that pressure as long as I deal with it well ... I have played in some pretty big games in Super League – four grand finals, Challenge Cups, World Club Challenges, Test matches.
“I’m not saying I’m the finished article, because I’m not, but I’d like to think I’ll be all right under the pressure. People have expectations and Canberra has signed me for a reason.
“I know it is a massive challenge in front of me. It will be a step up from Super League. No disrespect to Super League, but NRL is classed as the best league in the world.
“I understand there’s going to be some tough patches ... organising wise, I could get better.
“I’m just looking forward to testing myself. A lot of people are talking about how good he (Stuart) is and he proved that this year.
“I’d like to say I play a little bit offthe-cuff. I like to play what I see and I don’t mind a little run here and there.”
Williams arrives in Australia for the World Cup Nines carrying enormous accolades.
He will become the fifth English player on the Canberra roster.
“A bit or normality is always nice when you’re on the other side of the world and hopefully those boys will help me settle in,” he said. “It was so good to see close friends of mine that I played with at Wigan come over and here and take it by storm.
“A lot of people doubted them on the side of the world in England (but) the other lads settled in really easily.
“I’m buzzing really. It’s nice that I’m going to a good team with a good environment. It will be something for me. I have been at Wigan since I was 12 years old.”
Williams will be a key player in England’s bid to pinch the Nines at Parramatta tomorrow and Saturday.
“It will be very exciting, to be honest ... it’s new to me,” he said. “We are all professionals and we have come to win ... we will give it our best.”