The Perth Bears’ decision to overlook Sam Burgess for the head coaching role could have a domino effect, with his Warrington Wolves captain George Williams being lined up as a potential signing for the Dolphins. Williams previously played halfback for Canberra in the NRL and was a key part of the Raiders’ march to the 2020 preliminary final, before leaving the club and returning home to England.
The England international still has 12 months left on his contract with Warrington and was tipped to join Burgess at the Bears, if his coach landed the Perth job. But the Bears ultimately appointed former Kangaroos and Maroons coach Mal Meninga, and it’s presented the Dolphins with an opportunity to land the Warrington captain.
Despite still having one more year left on his current deal, Wolves are resigned to losing Williams at the end of this season. However, they are unlikely to release him without some form of compensation and have reportedly slapped a $400,000 price tag on the 30-year-old’s head, with the Dolphins understood to be interested in his services.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Warrington were exploring a potential swap deal for Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, who also has one year left on his current contract. But the report says Kristian Woolf’s Dolphins are keen to hang onto the Kiwi international, who has struck up a deadly halves combination with gun halfback Isaiya Katoa this season.
However, the Dolphins’ interest in Williams suggests they are looking to add an experienced half to play alongside Katoa next season and help mentor one of the most talented young playmakers in the game. The Dolphins were also in the race to sign Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans, but the veteran No.7 looks all but guaranteed to join the Roosters next year.
Dolphins keen on George Williams but rule out Nikorima swap
The move for Williams does seem a little harsh on Nikorima though, and could mean he’ll have to be content with an interchange role at the Dolphins next season. Nikorima has shone in the bench utility role for New Zealand and the Broncos in the past, and his versatility illustrates why Woolf is not willing to part ways with the 31-year-old.
Nikorima has six tries and 12 try assists in 14 games for the Dolphins this season and has provided the perfect foil for Katoa, who has already been earmarked as a future Origin star after establishing himself as one of the game’s best halfbacks. Katoa is by no means the finished product though and Williams could be the ideal partner to help develop his game and take the 21-year-old to the next level.
Williams’ Wolves are currently eighth on the English Super League ladder with a 6-9 record from an inconsistent season so far. But the 30-year-old playmaker is expected to captain his nation in the Ashes against Australia at the end of the year as the series returns to England for the first time in 22 years.
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