George Williams previews Thursday night’s Betfred Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity.
24-year-old says last week’s loss to St Helens can be used to Wigan Warriors’ advantage.
Williams: “Last Friday was a hiccup and I admit I wasn’t very good, and a few senior boys have said that too. We’ve dusted ourselves off and are prepared for a tough test on Thursday.”
George Williams believes Wigan Warriors can use last week’s defeat to St Helens as a spring board to achieve success in 2019, as his side prepare to host Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night.
Last week, the Cherry and Whites lost for the first time in six Betfred Super League games following a 32-10 defeat to St Helens, but stand-off Williams believes it will only benefit his team.
He said: “I think in the last five weeks, minus last Friday, we’ve been building slowly as a team and as individuals. Saints are the benchmark and we admit we didn’t perform to what we have done recently, but it’s good to know what we have to aim towards now.
“Without being arrogant, we genuinely believe we can go all the way. We want to be in those play-off games at the end of the year and we know we may come across Saints, so to be successful we have to put our standards towards what we learned last Friday and be in a place to match them if we come up against them.”
The 24-year-old England international has played in all 24 of Wigan’s games this year and has scored 11 tries.
Williams paid tribute to Head Coach Adrian Lam for getting the best out of him during his side’s winning run.
“In the last month, I think I’ve progressed hugely under Lammy,” he said. “Last Friday was a hiccup and I admit I wasn’t very good, and a few senior boys have said that too. We’ve dusted ourselves off and are prepared for a tough test on Thursday.”
With a number of senior players out of the 19-man squad for this week’s game, Williams says half-back partner Tommy Leuluai will be a big miss.
I love playing next to Tommy. He’s going to be a massive loss for us. He knows the game so well and he’s got similar attributes to Lockers (Sean O’Loughlin) – if you see him on the pitch the whole team has confidence. I’m sure though whoever plays will do the job.”
The two-time Super League Grand Final winner was asked about last week’s news that he will be leaving the Club he joined 12 years ago to join NRL side Canberra Raiders in 2020.
Williams said: “I want to test myself. I’ve been here since I was 12-year-old and Wigan’s been my life. It always will be, as I’ve not known anything. I’ve got a few months left and I’m going to make sure I make the most of it.
“I’m from Wigan, I’ve always supported Wigan, I was a ball boy and I’ve been lucky enough to play for the Club too. It’s something that I will hold close to my heart and won’t take for granted.”
https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2019 ... uuqPrBz.99
Clear aim: Williams
-
josie andrews
- Posts: 35725
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
- Contact:
Clear aim: Williams
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
-
josie andrews
- Posts: 35725
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
- Location: Wigan
- Contact:
Re: Clear aim: Williams
George Williams on his teary Wigan Warriors exit, his NRL hopes - and his Grand Final vision
In his first interview since his Canberra move was confirmed, George Williams speaks candidly about his move, his hopes and his unfinished business with Wigan...
“This has been a while,” smiled George Williams, as he took his seat in the Wigan meeting room at Edge Hall Road yesterday.
Yes it has.
The Wigan marquee player, the England international, the Canberra capture has been off-limits to the media since his move to the NRL was reported in March.
But after his switch was finally confirmed last week – amid a hive of activity which included deals for Jackson Hastings and incumbent coach Adrian Lam – the candid, amiable 24-year-old is now free to field questions once again.
So, firstly, why has it taken so long for his widely-known move to Canberra to be confirmed?
“I don’t know, it may have been hiccups on the transfer fees between the two clubs but I was in the cold, I genuinely don’t know,” he said.
“I’m happy it’s finally out there and I don’t have to lie to people in the street!”
Although his move was an open-secret, he only addressed his Wigan team-mates and told them he was leaving last Monday.
“I thought I’d be okay but as soon as I started speaking it hit me at once and I got emotional,” he admitted. “I choked up telling the lads what they mean to me. I think that’s a good thing, it shows what it means to me.
“I’ve supported Wigan, I’ve been a ballboy, I’m lucky to play here and win quite a bit – it’s in my heart.
“I’m 100 per cent going to miss this place.”
The Raiders have paid an undisclosed transfer fee to buy-out the final year of Williams’ marquee contract with his hometown club.
He will become the fifth English player in the capital, joining former Warriors Ryan Sutton and John Bateman and his England team-mates Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead.
“They’re not just people I know, they’re good mates of mine,” said Williams
“I’ve known Sutty since we were 12-years-old, we played junior rugby together, I’ve been mates with John Bateman for a few years – he’s letting me live with him – and the two England lads, I genuinely get on well with.”
Test coach Wayne Bennett recently described Williams as being as good as anyone in the game on his day. Did the veteran super-coach try and lure him to Souths?
No, but I did speak to him about going to the NRL. I get on well with Wayne and he was all for it,” said Williams. “He said, ‘Go and test yourself’. Canberra just fit, with my friends being there, and they’re a club building.
“Hopefully I can add something to that.”
Bateman and Sutton have both made an impact on the NRL, joining a list of English players to shine Down Under including the Burgess brothers and James Graham presently, and Gareth Ellis and Adrian Morley in the past.
But curiously, backs have struggled to make the same impact, while few halfbacks have left Super League to test themselves in Australia – current international Gareth Widdop emigrated as a child.
“I’m not sure why that is,” said Williams. “It’s not like I’ve seen a half go over and smash it and thought I’d have a go. I just wanted to go over there and test myself.
“I’ve been here since I was 12 and Wigan has been my life – and always will be a big part of it.
“It may not work out for me, but I’ll try my best. I back myself. I’m quiet but I’ll try and take it like a storm like Batty and Sutty have.
“I am excited – but I’ve got a few weeks left here.”
Throughout the 10-minute interview, Williams frequently moved the focus back to the present; he can not be accused of having one eye already on 2020.
He watched from the frontline as Bateman, Sutton and Sam Tomkins got the fairytale send-off last year and is determined to ensure he can help Wigan complete a remarkable recovery and defend their Super League title.
His form has mirrored the team’s, and he has started to show in recent weeks just why he is so highly, and widely, regarded.
“Waney always used to say to me that I finished the season better than I started – my final third of the season is better than the first third,” he said.
“In the last month we’ve progressed as a team and that’s benefited me.
“I don’t think anyone was playing particularly well at the start. Friday was a hiccup – I wasn’t very good, and I admit that, and a few senior players have.
“But we dust ourselves off and go again. We genuinely believe we can go on to win the Grand Final.
“Saints have been the benchmark and we didn’t perform, but it’s nice to know what they’ll bring and we need to match that, because we may come across them and we know what our standard needs to be at.”
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/george ... -1-9881829
In his first interview since his Canberra move was confirmed, George Williams speaks candidly about his move, his hopes and his unfinished business with Wigan...
“This has been a while,” smiled George Williams, as he took his seat in the Wigan meeting room at Edge Hall Road yesterday.
Yes it has.
The Wigan marquee player, the England international, the Canberra capture has been off-limits to the media since his move to the NRL was reported in March.
But after his switch was finally confirmed last week – amid a hive of activity which included deals for Jackson Hastings and incumbent coach Adrian Lam – the candid, amiable 24-year-old is now free to field questions once again.
So, firstly, why has it taken so long for his widely-known move to Canberra to be confirmed?
“I don’t know, it may have been hiccups on the transfer fees between the two clubs but I was in the cold, I genuinely don’t know,” he said.
“I’m happy it’s finally out there and I don’t have to lie to people in the street!”
Although his move was an open-secret, he only addressed his Wigan team-mates and told them he was leaving last Monday.
“I thought I’d be okay but as soon as I started speaking it hit me at once and I got emotional,” he admitted. “I choked up telling the lads what they mean to me. I think that’s a good thing, it shows what it means to me.
“I’ve supported Wigan, I’ve been a ballboy, I’m lucky to play here and win quite a bit – it’s in my heart.
“I’m 100 per cent going to miss this place.”
The Raiders have paid an undisclosed transfer fee to buy-out the final year of Williams’ marquee contract with his hometown club.
He will become the fifth English player in the capital, joining former Warriors Ryan Sutton and John Bateman and his England team-mates Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead.
“They’re not just people I know, they’re good mates of mine,” said Williams
“I’ve known Sutty since we were 12-years-old, we played junior rugby together, I’ve been mates with John Bateman for a few years – he’s letting me live with him – and the two England lads, I genuinely get on well with.”
Test coach Wayne Bennett recently described Williams as being as good as anyone in the game on his day. Did the veteran super-coach try and lure him to Souths?
No, but I did speak to him about going to the NRL. I get on well with Wayne and he was all for it,” said Williams. “He said, ‘Go and test yourself’. Canberra just fit, with my friends being there, and they’re a club building.
“Hopefully I can add something to that.”
Bateman and Sutton have both made an impact on the NRL, joining a list of English players to shine Down Under including the Burgess brothers and James Graham presently, and Gareth Ellis and Adrian Morley in the past.
But curiously, backs have struggled to make the same impact, while few halfbacks have left Super League to test themselves in Australia – current international Gareth Widdop emigrated as a child.
“I’m not sure why that is,” said Williams. “It’s not like I’ve seen a half go over and smash it and thought I’d have a go. I just wanted to go over there and test myself.
“I’ve been here since I was 12 and Wigan has been my life – and always will be a big part of it.
“It may not work out for me, but I’ll try my best. I back myself. I’m quiet but I’ll try and take it like a storm like Batty and Sutty have.
“I am excited – but I’ve got a few weeks left here.”
Throughout the 10-minute interview, Williams frequently moved the focus back to the present; he can not be accused of having one eye already on 2020.
He watched from the frontline as Bateman, Sutton and Sam Tomkins got the fairytale send-off last year and is determined to ensure he can help Wigan complete a remarkable recovery and defend their Super League title.
His form has mirrored the team’s, and he has started to show in recent weeks just why he is so highly, and widely, regarded.
“Waney always used to say to me that I finished the season better than I started – my final third of the season is better than the first third,” he said.
“In the last month we’ve progressed as a team and that’s benefited me.
“I don’t think anyone was playing particularly well at the start. Friday was a hiccup – I wasn’t very good, and I admit that, and a few senior players have.
“But we dust ourselves off and go again. We genuinely believe we can go on to win the Grand Final.
“Saints have been the benchmark and we didn’t perform, but it’s nice to know what they’ll bring and we need to match that, because we may come across them and we know what our standard needs to be at.”
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/george ... -1-9881829
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Re: Clear aim: Williams
Hickup.
No friday showed that we are not fit to lace saints boots.... you dont go to a derby match and have a hiccup.
No friday showed that we are not fit to lace saints boots.... you dont go to a derby match and have a hiccup.
These are two reasons not to trust people.
1. We don't know them.
2. We do know them.
1. We don't know them.
2. We do know them.