George Williams proved me wrong, to the benefit of Canberra Raiders and Shaun Wane’s England - Dave Craven

Don’t get me wrong, as such an exciting player for Wigan Warriors I appreciated his electric pace and that marvellous short kicking game of his, but never thought he really delivered when it came to performing for England.

Admittedly, I “got” him more than Gareth Widdop and believed, potentially, he was a much better option than his fellow half-back at Test level.

Nevertheless, I was left wondering whether Williams would really be able to cut it in the demands of the NRL when he made the move to Canberra Raiders ahead of this season.

Although plenty of exports have fared well in recent years – Sam Burgess, James Graham and Josh Hodgson to name three – there have been many others who have returned home within just a few months including Kallum Watkins, Dan Sarginson and Joe Greenwood.

But Williams is not one of them: the 25-year-old has thrived Down Under and yesterday once more demonstrated just how suited he is to the NRL by helping Raiders stun champions Sydney Roosters in a classic sudden-death play-off.

Ironically, rather than with his customary dash and flair, it was a relatively under-stated display that helped guide the Green Machine to within just 80 minutes of back-to-back Grand Final appearances.

Williams kept things simple and hardly put a foot wrong, staying so composed under pressure, in stark contrast to opposition half-back Luke Keary who strangely seemed to put more passes to ground than into a team-mate’s grasp. He was in support, as ever, for a first-half try as dominant Canberra – beaten in last year’s final by the Roosters – built up a surprise 16-0 lead, and then his kicking proved so crucial as they tried to stem the inevitable tide that came their way from the wounded champions.

Williams’ teasing grubbers caused no end of problems, including one that embarrassed superstar James Tedesco to put Jack Wighton in for what proved the decisive score in a 22-18 win, and it was such a mature display.

Indeed, his elated coach Ricky Stuart – a former Kangaroos scrum-half – would have been proud of it himself, not least with the manner in which Williams also stood up so well defensively, smashing Australia captain Boyd Cordner with a couple of hits.

With fellow ‘Poms’ Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman producing all their usual no-nonsense graft in a Canberra pack spearheaded by the brilliant Joseph Tapine, they ruthlessly ended star-studded Roosters’ hopes of a third straight title.

Even Sonny Bill-Williams, who did so much to help drag the champions back into the contest along with Tedesco and Joseph Manu, was left powerless by the end of an enthralling game at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.

Now the Raiders – who have spent most of the season without England hooker Hodgson – head to Melbourne Storm on Friday for a place in the final.

Even given Storm’s vast pedigree, it will be hard to bet against Stuart’s dogged side completing that job.

Regardless, England coach Shaun Wane – who nurtured Williams at Wigan –can sit back knowing one of his top talents is developing nicely ahead of the 2021 World Cup. With Jonny Lomax and Luke Gale in stellar form, too, he will not be short of creative options.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson