Discarded former Raiders halfback George Williams has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Warrington Wolves as he looks to resurrect his rugby league career in time for the October World Cup.
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The Wolves unveiled their marquee man just hours after his replacement, Sam Williams, scored two tries in leading Canberra to a season-resurrecting 30-16 win over Manly at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night.
Homesick Williams was released by the Raiders a month ago, and has been training on his own since returning to England with his pregnant partner Charlotte.
He rejected the chance to link up with ex-Raider John Bateman at his old club Wigan, and outgoing Warrington coach Steve Price now needs to work out how to fit him in around incumbent halves Gareth Widdop and former Raider Blake Austin.
Both players have been linked to a possible NRL return, which would allow Williams to take charge at his new club.
Canberra won for just the second time since Williams' departure on Thursday, stunning the high-flying Sea Eagles to suggest another late-season finals stampede was on the cards.
Just five days after the Raiders' worst home loss in eight years, Ricky Stuart's men completed a much-needed hit-and-run mission to Sydney's Northern Beaches, temporarily drawing level with eighth-placed Cronulla on 14 competition points.
"Our coaching staff did a really good job this week and allowed us to be as positive as we could coming off a pretty disappointing performance," Sam Williams said.
"Hopefully we can continue to have confidence, it's such a massive thing in today's game and the people that come through rugby league, it's a different game than it was 30 years ago.
"Confidence is such a big factor, you see teams that play with confidence continue to thrive. We need to continue to play confident and that only happens when you're playing well.
"We've got to make sure we go out there next week and back it up and build and build and put our nose into that top eight to give ourselves a chance."
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Playing alongside Matt Frawley for the second time at NRL level, Williams scored a try either side of half-time and set up another to reignite Canberra's ailing season.
"Sam's a great leader of a football team from an attacking point of view - we played to a plan tonight and they executed it and that's what you want from your halves," Stuart said.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
