The Canberra Raiders say they are yet to finalise a deal with George Williams amid reports the English halfback has signed a three-year deal with the club.
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Raiders chief Don Furner says nothing is set in stone with Williams still contracted to the Wigan Warriors for the 2020 season.
Canberra officials have been in negotiations about luring the 24-year-old to the capital next year having already welcomed Wigan duo John Bateman and Ryan Sutton to the club over the off-season.
The Raiders reportedly baulked at a huge transfer fee placed on Williams before beating the New Zealand Warriors to his signature, but Furner hosed down talk the deal is done.
It comes as Aidan Sezer and Jack Wighton prepare to link up in the halves for Canberra's NRL season opener against the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.
Sezer is on the Raiders' books until the end of 2020 having signed a contract extension last year, while Wighton is also set to stay in Canberra for the next two seasons as he prepares for a shift to five-eighth.
"I've watched [Williams], he's a class player," Sezer said.
"Anytime the club is trying to acquire a quality player, it's always a positive. That's next year, we've got a year ahead of us and we're looking forward to Sunday."
Fellow Raiders half Sam Williams is off-contract at the end of 2019 and he will have to oust Sezer and Wighton if he is to taste first grade action this season.
Wighton and Sezer's fresh combination may take some time to gel but the latter concedes they have been around long enough for there to be no excuses.
"How long do you want to give it? Me and Jacko are seasoned first-graders now, we’ve been around long enough. I’m pretty sure Jacko knows his role, I know my role, and we’re pretty clear going into this weekend’s game," Sezer said.
"Jacko has been around a while now, he’s played a lot of footy for a young fella, and he is one of our leaders at this club. He plays a similar role there at fullback for us, and touches the ball quite a few times.
"It’s exciting for him, playing a new position, and it’s exciting for me to have a new halves partner next to me."
NRL ROUND ONE
Sunday: Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders at Gold Coast, 6.10pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. John Bateman. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Extended bench: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Jack Murchie, 20. Luke Bateman, 21. JJ Collins.
