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Rugby League World Cup One to Watch: George Williams – The Fantasy Manager’s Ultimate Dream

Dermott Banks

We are on the verge of the Rugby League World Cup, which will see the world’s best going head-to-head over October, November and December. Australia will be looking to retain their trophy, and after an emphatic victory over New Zealand in the 2013 final, whilst the Kiwis will be looking to rediscover the winning touch which saw them win the 2008 competition.

Whilst many are expecting it to be two of the host nations competing for silverware, there is every chance we could see England challenge and look to make their first final since 1995. Under the guiding hand of Wayne Bennett, the Wall of White have a good mix of NRL talent and a number of Super League’s stars flying to Australia – although Bennett’s squad selection has certainly raised eyebrows in the UK.

The World Cup is the biggest stage and it presents a huge opportunity for one of England’s rising stars, George Williams, to showcase his talent to the rest of the world. England’s last final came over 20 years ago, and whilst Australia are overwhelming favourites to be taking part in the showpiece on December 2nd, Bennett’s side are not far behind, with bet365’s Rugby League betting page offering odds of 11/10.

 

Williams is certainly one of the reasons that England are so well fancied to do well, after the Wigan Warrior enjoyed a fantastic 2017 campaign. Some of the NRL’s clubs will be keeping a watchful eye on the half-back, who has recently been linked with a move to Australia in the near future.

Fantasy Rugby League players will want to keep a watchful eye on how Williams performs, as he would have been the dream player for them to select throughout 2017. Gareth Widdop was the NRL’s most reliable point scorer over the 2017 campaign, and but for his injuries at key times, he would have undoubtedly led St George Illawarra Dragons to the top-eight.

Widdop and Williams will be competing for a place in the English halves, and Bennett faces a tough selection choice, with Luke Gale and Kevin Brown also under consideration. It will be hard for Bennett not to include Williams in his matchday 17 throughout the World Cup, as although he doesn’t offer the game management like his teammates, it is an area of his game that is improving and he was Super League’s most creative player throughout the year.

 

The 22-year-old scored 11 tries for Wigan in 2017, but more impressive was the half-backs ability to transform himself into Super League’s most creative cog, assisting an astonishing 29 tries across the campaign. His try scoring and assisting made him a Super League Dream Team must, and should Williams make the switch to the NRL, he would be a Fantasy team must too, with the youngster also improving his goal kicking in the last year, landing 43 attempts.

Australia might not know too much about Williams, but the World Cup offers the Wigan man the perfect opportunity to showcase his talent to the Southern Hemisphere. England are not well fancied to topple the Kangaroos, but with Williams in outstanding form, there is a chance.

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Dermott Banks