Canberra Raiders recruit George Williams happy to get NRL debut out of way

He could think of nothing worse than running out to the Viking clap at an empty Canberra Stadium.

It added to his usual pre-game nerves, but in the end he needn't have worried.

He was happy with how it went and was looking forward to building on it in the coming rounds - especially with his halves combination with Jack Wighton, who hit the ground running.

The 25-year-old kicked well, made 31 tackles, had two line breaks, five tackle busts, almost scored two tries and had Elliott Whitehead telling him he should've had an assist - Williams opted to run himself instead of passing to Whitehead, who felt he would've scored.

But, like everyone else, just 2.5 hours before kick off he still didn't know whether he'd be running out in front of an empty stadium. Or at all.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced stadium's should go into lockdown from Monday.

It had Williams worried.

"Me and my missus were glued to the telly at 3pm. I thought, 'Surely not my first game with no fans'," he said.

"I was hoping not. I was pretty happy I got to experience the Viking clap, that was something special. Just pleased all round.

"I was a little bit nervous before the game. It's been a long time coming to play for the Raiders.

"I signed last year and just really nervous before the game and just really happy I got the two points and finish with a win."

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It wasn't just with the ball that Williams looked at home in the NRL.

His tackling stood out, especially when he made a one-on-one, try-saving tackle on Kevin Proctor.

Williams credited his first season playing for Wigan in the English Super League for his tackling ability.

"I've always liked defending. My first year in the Super League I got chucked in the middle and played hooker so I always says that put me in good stead for my career," he said.

"It's tough in there in the middle with the big boys. I actually don't mind defending.

"I did a bit too much [Friday] night, probably close to 30 [tackles] so I was blowing late on.

"But I enjoyed it allround. It was a good first outing and look forward to next week."

Williams didn't know much about Raiders coach Ricky Stuart when he arrived in Canberra, but has grown to appreciate he's being mentored by someone who's "done everything in the game".

That appreciation has come through the weekly history lessons being conducted at the club - something that started last year in the 30^th anniversary of their maiden premiership.

Stuart felt the addition of Williams would make the 2020 Green Machine better than last season's version which made the NRL grand final.

"I was just having a beer with some mates through the week [and] they were asking about George Williams," Stuart said.

"I see so much at training, where obviously your mates and the fans don't.

"I'm really excited by having George. He's a threat, he's got a wonderful kicking game and as you've seen there tonight he's a tough defender.

"He's going to make our team better. You don't want to sing their praises too much because it's only been an off-season of training, but I've been really excited with what I've seen from George Williams so far."

NRL ROUND TWO

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at TBA, 3pm.