'Brilliant' George Williams was 10/10, says Brad Fittler

In only his third game for Canberra since leaving Wigan - and his first since the campaign was shut down due to coronavirus - he was the headline act in the Raiders' 22-6 win at Melbourne.

Williams was the architect of two first-half tries and also proved his defensive mettle to impress many observers, including former Kangaroos skipper Fittler.

He hailed the 25-year-old's display as being one of the most complete he had seen in a long time.

Fittler, a classy stand-off during his own glittering career, told the Sunday Footy Show: "In the old days they used to have Rugby League Week (magazine), and they used to give a rating out of 10 each week.

"They wouldn't give out a 10 once a year. I got one in my whole career.

"George Williams, he'd have got a 10.

"I don't think I've seen as complete a performance in a long time, as he gave.

"It was not just his running game, bit his passing game, he smashed a couple blokes, he saved a couple tries, it was an absolutely flawless performance.

"And what a way to restart the season. He was brilliant."

Williams, an academy product at Wigan, has been switched to the right side by coach Ricky Stuart, having predominantly operated on the left at the Warriors.

"I really enjoyed it, we knew we were in for a tough game. It was a tough test for me playing against Melbourne for the first time," he said.

"We love playing rugby and it's good to be back, so happy days."

His former Wigan team-mates Ryan Sutton and John Bateman missed the match due to injury, but England internationals John Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead also took part.

And Salford and ex-Warriors stand-off Kevin Brown believes Williams' experience in the NRL will only help Shaun Wane's national side ahead of next year's World Cup.

"There were 30 internationals playing in that game (Raiders v Melbourne Storm) so he's playing at an international level without really noticing it," Brown told the BBC."When he is playing in an international game the level will go up, but he'll be more than ready for it because he's playing against those players week in and week out.

"His confidence will go through the roof and that's fantastic at such a young age when he's going to be playing for England in the World Cup."