George Williams’ class can bite Super League as Wigan and Warrington lead race
GEORGE Williams is coming home after being ‘kicked out the door’ by Canberra Raiders.
Wigan and Warrington lead the battle to bring the England star back to Super League but the timing of the acrimonious departure surprised everyone.
The half-back, who conquered the NRL after leaving the Warriors, asked for a release at the end of the season.
Williams’ partner Charlotte is expecting their first child and Covid-19 has meant family members have been unable to visit Australia.
That has caused homesickness and a request to come home, with Canberra ditching him claiming he refused to train or play – a call which even took Williams aback.
Now it is a choice between heading back to Wigan - who have first refusal - or joining Warrington, with a small deal for the rest of 2021 ahead of a big pay rise for 2022 and beyond a possibility.
That may be the only way Warrington can fit the 26-year-old in as they also have Blake Austin and Gareth Widdop, unless one is allowed to return Down Under early.
But Warrington winger Charnley, who played alongside him at Wigan, is in no doubt he will scream class, wherever he ends up.
He said: “George is an organiser but he was quite quiet when coming through at Wigan. He didn’t really speak much but I don’t know whether that was because he had little Sugar Puff teeth.
“Now he’s got a full set, you can see him organising on the field. He’s a threat when you play alongside him and he’ll be a massive loss to Canberra.”
SunSport understands Leeds examined the possibility but even being on the other side of the Pennines was too big a distance from home.
And Warrington boss Steve Price, who admits Australian star Greg Inglis will be out for about eight weeks with a hamstring injury, insisted: “I haven’t even contemplated that. He’s a great player who's had a fantastic couple of years.
“He was outstanding in 2019 when they went to the Grand Final and continued that form in the RNL. I’m not privy to what’s happened but he’s a quality player.
“But Gareth has been class. If he keeps going I’m sure he’ll be pushing hard for England selection.”
Canberra claimed Williams declared himself unable to train and play, with a text message to the club's welfare manager supposedly the straw that broke the camel's back.
However, Williams insisted that is not the case, saying: “I asked for a release weeks ago for the end of the season.
“Not once did I ask for an immediate release but Instead of supporting me, the club kicked me out the door.”
Chief exec Don Furner said: “George and his partner have asked on a number of occasions for a release to return to England to be closer to their families and we’ve decided to grant their request.
“George withdrew from training and from the game this weekend, which highlighted to the club the seriousness of George’s request.
“Over the past several weeks we have supported George and provided him with the best welfare support we could, however as a club we felt that his position at the club moving forward became untenable.”
