Wigan coach Adrian Lam says the club will hold talks with Canberra Raiders’ England halfback George Williams over a potential return in 2022.
Wigan coach Adrian Lam says the Super League club are keen to hold talks with Canberra Raiders’ England halfback George Williams over a potential return in 2022.
Canberra have confirmed that the 26-year-old Williams, who is in the second season of a three-year contract, is homesick and they are working to provide support to him and his girlfriend in the hope that he will see out his contract.
If that fails, Wigan will be in pole position to re-sign him, just as they did with another Canberra player, John Bateman, when he opted to cut short his stay in the NRL at the end of the 2020 season.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, Lam admitted he would be keen to speak to Williams as the club prepare for the departure of Jackson Hastings and the probable retirement of Thomas Leuluai.
“Of course, we would,” Lam said. “George is a Wigan lad. I knew he’d miss home at some stage because his close friends are here and he’s well integrated with this club.
“It makes sense that as a club, we’ll be talking to him and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Meanwhile, Wigan centre Oliver Gildart is attracting interest from the NRL, with former Warriors coach Michael Maguire thought to be keen to take the England international to Wests Tigers.
Lam said: “I know he has a dream of playing in the NRL, that’s been clear.
“As it stands, he’s off contract with us at the end of the year, there’s always going to be interest and, if he decides to go down that path of joining the NRL, there’s not much we can do about it as a club.
“But he brings a lot to us as a team. We’re looking forward to having him back, his head is in a good place and he’s not talking to any NRL clubs at the moment.
“I think it’s the management group which do the negotiations and put the feelers out there.”
Gildart has yet to play this season because of a troubling groin injury but could return within the next fortnight.
mushi
Roar Guru
If the extended family is back in the UK you can understand. If it's tough health wise more so. You want to be there when stuff is going badly
Nat
Roar Guru
It's a big call just to go home in this (their) environment. Is he here by himself or did he bring any family do you know?
Nat
Roar Guru
Seems there's a disgruntled Kiwi (and his missus) there as well.
mushi
Roar Guru
I spent a year in Canberra. I've also always had a second milestone birthday party like 31st etc. Once a mate asked the obvious question: Why.? that year does. Not. Count
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Sterility is a good thing in the Covid era.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Evidently you haven’t seen Wigan
MUCK
Guest
Sorry hes from Lancashire , thought he was ok , cancel the meeting Kevie , we dont need his kind at The Broncs , Yorkshire only .
mushi
Roar Guru
Unfair. No one "lives" in Canberra it's just surviving
mushi
Roar Guru
Greg has a time machine.. It's the only reason why you support the rabbitohs
mushi
Roar Guru
The current environment is very different. Most years they would head home for a few months.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
And who would have thought the Halves Merry Go Round "market" could get more complex - with the Raiders entering the picture.
Muck
Guest
Probably Bengal Spice in Holmfirth , one of the best
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
The Raiders at the moment reminds me of The Minder,Not sure if Ricky's -Terry or Arffa.
GregM
Roar Rookie
don't forget to "wear the Fox Hat"
andrew
Roar Rookie
Well, oil beef hooked.
GregM
Roar Rookie
GregM
Roar Rookie
There's nowt wrong wi'owt what mitherin' clutterbucks don't barley grummit! (gotta luv the Goodies)
Cal Sinclair
Guest
International players you mean M62 Northern Englishmen Nat?
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Adam I think it’s more Language problem down there.”Givis a Havv Luv”,and the barmaid brings em 3 cans from a six pack.
Harry
Guest
I have to admit that I don't exactly follow your logic that (A) the Raiders "never learned" from something that happened less than a year ago, and that (B) the signing of Williams which happened at the end of 2019 shows that they didn't learn from something that happened at the end of 2020.