The Canberra Raiders are doing everything they can to support a homesick George Williams and his partner Charlotte Lewis, including looking to bring their parents out from England to Canberra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The coronavirus pandemic has meant the young couple have been isolated on the other side of the world from their families.
Normally, they would've been able to go home at the end of the 2020 NRL season - Williams' first down under - and spend time with loved ones.
Plus family and friends could make the trip the other way and visit whenever they wanted during the year.
But with the difficulties surrounding international travel and quarantine requirements, not to mention the chance of catching the COVID-19 virus, it's made for a tough time in lime green.
That's further complicated by the fact Lewis is pregnant and expecting the couple's first child.
Williams was contracted at the Raiders until the end of the 2022 season and Canberra were doing everything they can to help support the couple.
That included looking to bring some relatives to Canberra for as long as possible to help build a family network around them.
It's also hoped if the Rugby League World Cup goes ahead in England in October and November that would provide another opportunity to catch up with family.
Williams' former club Wigan were in the market for a halfback with Jackson Hastings returning to the NRL next year, but that's completely unrelated to the England international's situation.
The Raiders have been linked to South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds, who looks set to leave the Rabbitohs at the end of the season.
"From time to time overseas players can go through [homesickness], but we'll always be supportive and put whatever we can around him," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said.
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
The news comes as the Raiders struggle on the field, having lost their past four games to slip outside the top eight.
They've been caught up in some off-field drama with the wife of lock Joe Tapine taking to social media to question how much game time coach Ricky Stuart gave her husband against South Sydney.
Williams was a late withdrawal from the Raiders' loss to Souths on Thursday with a hamstring injury and didn't train with the main group on Monday.
But it was hoped he might be fit to face the Newcastle Knights at Wagga Wagga on Saturday.
Williams was one of five English players the Green Machine have assembled at the club, along with co-captain Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead, Ryan Sutton and Harry Rushton.
They also had John Bateman on their books, but he went home at the end of last season to be closer to his daughter Millie.
NRL ROUND NINE
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Wagga Wagga, 3pm.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
