Williams hopes for Magic tricks

George Williams is hoping Wigan's dazzling Magic Weekend record can continue tomorrow '“ and he can perform some tricks of his own.
George WilliamsGeorge Williams
George Williams

The 2015 Young Player of the Year has only made two starts since a two-month lay-off with a back injury, and he admits that has hampered his start to the season.

But with a strengthening squad, including attacking wizard Sam Tomkins returning to the fold, Williams hopes his partnership with Matty Smith will flourish in the coming weeks.

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“Me and Matty formed a good partnership last year and we’ve not had chance to do that (so far this season),” he said.

“And with Sam coming that’s a massive bonus so if we can all know each others’ game we’ll be laughing

really.”

Williams’ injury meant Warriors had to run with makeshift halfback combinations throughout March and April, with Sean O’Loughlin and Nick Gregson filling the gap. But he is hoping to ‘crack on’ now he is back fit.

“I’m enjoying training again. Match fitness is a bit low but that will come so I’m looking forward to the coming weeks,” he said. “It was frustrating.

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“The year before I didn’t have any injuries and at the start of the year I wanted a big year so it’s not started the way I wanted. It’s not the best but I’ve got to crack on now.”

Wigan could do with a win tomorrow to make sure they don’t lose touch with the front-runners in Super League, and playing the bottom placed side could be seen as a welcome boost as Magic Weekend usually comes with heavyweight opponents.

But Williams says champions Leeds won’t be taken lightly, and their league position won’t be taken into account.

“They’re the treble winners,” he said. “A few things haven’t been going their way but they’re capable.

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“They’ve been unlucky with injuries too but sometimes it doesn’t go for you.I bet they’ve been soul searching and they’ll be up for this.”

Williams got his first taste of Magic Weekend action in the 2014 win over Leeds, and is a fan of the concept, though he never went to cheer on his heroes when he was growing up.

He joked: “I’d never been – my dad was too tight to take me!

“We’ve beaten Leeds last year and the year before and I think the boys will turn-up after a poor performance last week.”