Made me smile, and does remind me (although I'm sure it's done from the best of motives and not intended to be racist or patronising at all) of those tales they do like to come out with (esp Vossy) about some poor kid from "upcountry" somewhere, who walked 500 miles barefoot from the simple shack in the Outback he called his home to ask for a trial from the Broncos (or whoever)...



"It's an incredible story! And he is such a great kid too!"

oh, and

"They are all gathered around the one TV set in the village watching his big day!"

I do believe 232 of George Williams family and friends gathered round a small black and white TV at his grandmas flat in Scholes to watch his try scoring performance at the weekend.

He doesn’t make many but Phil Clarke made a good point about Williams and why lads like him and others in his situation should feel confident about going playing in the NRL. He said that Williams had been at Wigan as a junior around the time of Brett Finch and Blake Green playing for the club and Clarke’s point was if they could leave Wigan and hold down an NRL starting spot and play some good rugby, then there was no reason why Williams should think he couldn’t do the same considering that he’s as good a player as those two (I actually think he’s a better player than either tbh).

Another George Williams special in the Raiders shock win against the Roosters. He is making a name for himself down under.

And good luck to him

The Aussies aren't used to a halfback who runs at the line and side steps his way over,they also seem to think that he can't tackle either although he's shook a few up so far this season

Every comment I've heard made about Georges defence has always been positive, and quite rightly hes always been a tough and superb defender.

I've not heard one Aussie criticise him

Agree, I think the Aussies have been impressed by his defence and toughness.

It’s the main reason I thought he would go well over there and be suited more to SL than the NRL.

They moan about his side defence but not him, maybe when he gets Bateman back who’s a better defender inside him it will stop them looking week down there, saying that they are week down the other side also

And I believe that's the main reason he was picked to play SL way before Hampshire.

Delighted with his try, a good reward for another solid showing. Last couple of games in particular he has had a lot of heavy traffic directed his way in defence, and has stood up well. I don't think the Aussies are short of halves prepared to run at the line, though. Moses? Milford? Brooks? Munster?

I think what sets him apart from those guys is his ability to do it in heavy traffic without much space in which to work.

You are right though there are an embarrassment of riches in the halves playing in the NRL.

Yeah, I was just watching that clapped-out old has-been Benji Marshall...

I know I’m getting ahead of myself here but, could George qualify for state of origin?
I seem to remember them trying to tempt Adrian Morley at some point.

He doesn't play for NSW or QLD team, though.

(I don't think that's the only objection)

I thought the criteria to qualify was where you played your first game of RL(in Aus) and not necessarily where u was born. Adrian Lam played for Queensland but was from PNG, although I don’t know of any other “foreigner” to play in state of origin.

He would have to make himself available for Australia too I think (rule changed a while ago) which now he can't.

Ah right, thanks for clearing that up.

Is it not where you played rugby first? Always used to be, lam lived in Queensland from 7

He can’t as he’s played for England another tier 1 team

I THINK that's the ruling. Sure it was mentioned when Tamou played for NSW despite being a Kiwi

Craig Smith played for Kiwis and Queensland as did T Carroll.

I think Carroll was different as they invited him, he also played for aus, right about smith though

Hence why I said the rule was CHANGED

And there it is.... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... iZqeFG6jp_

And there it is.... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... iZqeFG6jp_

Supporters at Wigan were only calling him because of him being inconsistent, but always getting selected even if he had poor game or two.

Something, a player cannot do at a Aussie club as there is more than likely, other players in the squad ready to take their place if they are not consistent, especially if the player is British.