“Proven winner” George Williams hailed by Lee Briers after Warrington debut
Williams celebrates his drop goal with Robbie Mulhern
Warrington assistant coach Lee Briers hailed match-winning debutant George Williams as a “proven winner” after he kicked a dramatic last-minute drop-goal which condemned Leeds to defeat.
A thrilling encounter saw both sides score four tries apiece and Harry Newman’s brace for the Rhinos appeared to have handed them victory.
But the Wolves’ replacement hooker Danny Walker scored a late try which Stefan Ratchford converted to level matters at 26-26 before Williams’ one-pointer sealed the win for Steve Price’s team.
REPORT: Leeds 26-27 Warrington: George Williams wins it for Wire on debut
Briers, the former Wolves stand-off, said: “George is a fabulous signing, a quality player, and the club have invested in him by bringing him here.
“But there’s no pressure on George – he’s a humble kid who wants to work hard and he’s a proven winner.
“I thought it was a really entertaining game and it was just a case of who was going to grab it by the horns.
“We knew we were always going to have the chance to win it and I think it was deserved in the end.
“We turned the ball over a few too many times for our liking. But I thought the guts and character that we needed was there for all to see.
“We said at half-time it might take 79 minutes to win it and so it proved.”
Warrington, who had beaten Wigan at home on Wednesday, paired stand-off Williams in the halves with Blake Austin.
The Wolves earlier this month confirmed the signing of Williams on a three and a half year deal following his release from NRL side Canberra Raiders.
The 26-year-old half-back will be hoping to stake a claim in Shaun Wane’s England squad for this autumn’s World Cup, which will be hosted on home soil. Williams already has 10 England caps to his name and one for Great Britain.