Wigan Warriors ace George Williams facing new competition for a Great Britain spot

[nathan_rugby]

No Australian or NZ player should ever play for GB/England unless they where born here, Bollox to grandparent/parent rule, If we carry on like this GB/England will be nothing more than the Australian B team

I do not mind as much if its based on Parents, but Grandparents is too much of a stretch for me.

[nathan_rugby]

Petero Civoniceva and others played for Aus team and many others not born in Australia

Moved to Aus before his first birthday according to Wiki. In such situations I think its perfectly fine players have a choice between where they were born and where they actually lived and grew up.

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors' George Williams is "as good as anybody that plays the game", says Wayne Bennett

Wayne Bennett has given George Williams the ultimate accolade by declaring he is "as good as anybody that plays the game" on his day.

The Wigan stand-off started all three Tests in last autumn's series win against New Zealand, having previously had a bit-part role under the England coach.

And Bennett, 69, hailed Warriors' marquee man - bound for Canberra in 2020 - as one of the game's best players.

"I thought George Williams’ performances against New Zealand last year were outstanding," said Bennett, who will lead the revived Great Britain side's tour Down Under.

"We needed to see that from him and he did stand up for us.

When he’s at his best George is as good as anybody that plays the game. He’s got a wonderful skill-set and understanding of the game."

While Williams may face more competition for a halfback spot after Wayne Bennett left the door open for overseas-born stars Blake Austin and Jackson Hastings to be included, Bennett is certainly a fan of what he can offer.

"Gareth Widdop’s there and I love picking Jonny Lomax in the team because of what he brings and he can play so many positions. He’s a good footballer," said Bennett, who met with his elite training squad on Monday evenings

A few areas we’ve been light in are starting to fill up a bit as well, mainly our backs more than our forwards.

"We’ve certainly got a world class pack, no doubt about that. There’s a lot of backs coming through and if we can build on that and make sure we’ve got the strike power."

John Bateman, James Graham and the Burgess brothers play in the NRL, and another has muscled his way into the reckoning - ex-Warriors prop Ryan Sutton, who has impressed at Canberra.

"We've played against them a couple of times this year and he's been getting a lot of good reviews," Bennett said.

If he was still here [in England] we wouldn't have seen the potential he has got. It just challenges them over there because the competition is so hard. He's risen to the occasion."

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan- ... -1-9829448

[kevbrown1980]

I have no issue with player representing a country where their parents were born but once they played for any country they shouldn't be able to change. Too many players these days play for Australia then Samoa or Ireland etc. You should only be able to represent one country during your career (in my opinion)

[josie andrews]

Super League chief Robert Elstone criticises Wayne Bennett

Super League have released a statement condemning comments made by Wayne Bennett.

The Great Britain boss yesterday implied that he would not be considering Ryan Sutton for selection had he not moved from Super League to the NRL.

At the press conference in St Helens, Bennett said: “If he (Sutton) was still here (in England) we wouldn’t have seen the potential he has got. It just challenges them over there (in the NRL) because the competition is so hard.”

The 69-year-old went on to say that Sutton had “risen to the occasion” since joining Canberra Raiders from Wigan Warriors prior to the season.

However these words have not gone down well with Super League chief executive Robert Elstone.

Elstone said: “Securing and retaining the world’s best players is a priority for Super League.

“Quite rightly – and even more so now as we are nearing discussions around a new broadcast deal – it is seen by our clubs as fundamental to the future success of the competition.

“While several of our leading players have excelled in the NRL and, in all likelihood, more will want to test themselves in that environment, it does feel wrong that the coach of our national team is linking a move to the NRL so closely to the award of international honours.

“’None of us should lose sight of the fact that it is the Super League competition that has developed these players, and that all aspects of the game on this side of the world will benefit by them staying.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/super-le ... ett-20882/

[wontoofree]

I have no issue with player representing a country where their parents were born but once they played for any country they shouldn't be able to change. Too many players these days play for Australia then Samoa or Ireland etc. You should only be able to represent one country during your career (in my opinion)

Wholeheartedly agree with this

[josie andrews]

I have no issue with player representing a country where their parents were born but once they played for any country they shouldn't be able to change. Too many players these days play for Australia then Samoa or Ireland etc. You should only be able to represent one country during your career (in my opinion)

Wholeheartedly agree with this

Me too

[OAMJSONA]

they are both better players than Williams , but they are not English/British

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan- ... -1-9829448

Interesting to read what the greatest coach of all time thinks about George Williams.

[nathan_rugby]

Super League chief Robert Elstone criticises Wayne Bennett

Super League have released a statement condemning comments made by Wayne Bennett.

The Great Britain boss yesterday implied that he would not be considering Ryan Sutton for selection had he not moved from Super League to the NRL.

At the press conference in St Helens, Bennett said: “If he (Sutton) was still here (in England) we wouldn’t have seen the potential he has got. It just challenges them over there (in the NRL) because the competition is so hard.”

The 69-year-old went on to say that Sutton had “risen to the occasion” since joining Canberra Raiders from Wigan Warriors prior to the season.

However these words have not gone down well with Super League chief executive Robert Elstone.

Elstone said: “Securing and retaining the world’s best players is a priority for Super League.

“Quite rightly – and even more so now as we are nearing discussions around a new broadcast deal – it is seen by our clubs as fundamental to the future success of the competition.

“While several of our leading players have excelled in the NRL and, in all likelihood, more will want to test themselves in that environment, it does feel wrong that the coach of our national team is linking a move to the NRL so closely to the award of international honours.

“’None of us should lose sight of the fact that it is the Super League competition that has developed these players, and that all aspects of the game on this side of the world will benefit by them staying.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/super-le ... ett-20882/

I can see how his comments would annoy Elstone but in all honesty, they are true and sometimes the truth hurts but it is needed. Maybe Bennett could have elaborated more on his comments rather than leave them to interpretation.

The fact is, the NRL is a much tougher competition than Super League and it has forced Sutton to up his game in order to compete and be a success.