Friday 13 January 2017 16:42, UK
Wakefield have England hooker Josh Hodgson to thank for helping them secure Australian half-back Sam Williams for 2017.
The 25-year-old Canberra Raiders playmaker caught the eye in Super League with an impressive cameo stint at Catalans Dragons at the end of the 2014 season, when he helped take them to within 80 minutes of a maiden Grand Final.
He spoke to the French club about a possible return for this season and also had a two-year contract offer from the Raiders, but opted to link up with Chris Chester's Wakefield after taking advice from his Canberra team-mate Hodgson, who played under the Trinity coach at Hull KR.
"I had an offer on the table from the Raiders but I wanted to come and try to string a lot of first-grade games together, have a full season of playing first grade," said Williams.
"I spoke to Chessy a little bit over the phone and I spoke to Josh Hodgson who was coached by Chessy as well and he really recommended him. That made it a little bit easier to come to my decision."
Williams became frustrated at playing behind experienced half-backs Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer for Canberra in 2016 and at Trinity has to force his way past Liam Finn and Jacob Miller, who missed only two games between them last season, but he is happy to accept the challenge.
"It's a pretty good achievement for both of them to play throughout the whole season," he said. "It's pretty rare not to miss games and I don't think you'll see that too often.
"Different combinations will definitely happen throughout the season and you've also got weekends where you're playing three games in seven days. If you've got that little depth, it's going to put us in a good place."
The Canberra-born Williams has not given up hope of returning for a third stint with the Raiders, having signed only a 12-month deal with Trinity, but could be tempted to stay on, especially if the club can continue the improvement made by Chester's men in 2016.
"I'll see how it pans out," he said. "I'm only 25. So far I've really enjoyed my time here and the group of players all get on fairly well.
"Chessy came in last year and did a really good job and this year he's had an opportunity to have a pre-season with the side and the new players.
"Last year they took some steps forward and certainly we want to try and continue that.
"It might not happen overnight but the players are pretty keen to push this club to higher honours."
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