Gareth Widdop is in the best form of his life, which can only be good for England’s 2017 World Cup assault.
After seven rounds of the NRL competition Widdop’s Dragons are on top of the NRL the competition, a few position few would have been tipped at the start of the season. A big reason for that is the pristine performances of the Englishman.
Widdop is the fifth-highest try-scorer in the league right now with six, one below leader James Roberts. He is leading the NRL in points scored with 85, 21 more point than second-placed James Maloney, and has kicked more goals than anyone else.
But he isn’t just scoring tries, or kicking goals, he’s creating them for his teammates as well.
Widdop’s set up eight tries so far, the same as leader Cody Walker, and has 10 tackle breaks and four line breaks. Despite handling the ball in just about every set, Widdop has also only made four errors.
@garethwiddop will tell you that!
After a below-par 2016 when St George Illawarra struggled, the five-eighth is a man reborn this year. Widdop and Benji Marshall in the halves just did not work. But the half from Halifax and Josh McCrone is a partnership that is excelling.
McCrone’s organisation and game-management as a traditional number 7 has allowed Widdop freedom and relieved him of pressure. He can go back to being a runner of the football, supporting the ball and popping up where needed. It’s that style of play that suited him so well while at Melbourne.
Widdop’s electric form has already seen him become a high-profile target of a number of NRL clubs, with his contract at Kogorah ending in 2017. But now the Dragons have re-signed him for four more years. With his current form it will be on a big salary.While the playmaker is a respected man down under, who earned his stripes at Craig Bellamy’s Storm and was part of a grand final and World Club Challenge win there, the same is not necessarily said in his homeland.
Widdop has played 21 times for England since making his debut in 2010. He has five tries in those appearances and has featured at fullback and as an interchange utility. Under Steve McNamara he never seemed to fit into the English set-up. He was not first choice and was behind Rangi Chase and Kevin Sinfield in the pecking order at the 2013 World Cup.
Widdop came into the England side for the memorable semi-final against New Zealand at Wembley, replacing Chase. He was one of England’s best in that sensational match, which ended in heart-breaking fashion for the hosts with a Shaun Johnson try stealing victory.
But he has been chopped and changed when with England, but that should change this year.
Right now he is the form player in the NRL. Everything he touches is turning to gold. With his knowledge of Australian conditions, he has to be the starting six for Wayne Bennett come October. The good news for England is that Luke Gale and George Williams are also in great form in Super League.
Bennett will have to make the tough choice on which will partner Widdop.
