Williams frustrated at not getting Lions share of game time

After being overlooked for all three of Great Britain's Tests on the New Zealand leg of their tour, new Canberra Raiders signing George Williams admits it's been frustrating waiting for a chance in a squad stacked with six playmakers.

Despite Great Britain scoring just 14 points in losses to Tonga and the Kiwis over the past fortnight, coach Wayne Bennett has resisted the urge to make changes to his halves.

The Lions will again run with Gareth Widdop and Jackson Hastings as their playmakers against New Zealand on Saturday night in Christchurch.  

Williams said after earning 10 Test caps for England between 2015-18 it has been tough not to even get a look-in.

"Of course I am disappointed. You want to play every week, but I'm not the coach," Williams told NRL.com.

"I was lucky enough to play for England three times last year against the Kiwis and I was hoping to maybe build on that, but it's not meant to be at the moment.

"There's so many great players in this squad and six [halves] doesn't fit into two or three. I am realistic and it is what it is.

"But I love the group we have got, and even the boys who aren't playing at the moment feel involved.

"Wayne makes it a really special culture and environment."

While he hasn't been able to achieve his goals on the field, Williams has used his time in New Zealand to meet a handful of his future Canberra teammates who are playing for other nations.

"When we were in Auckland last week a few of the Canberra boys in the Great Britain team asked if I fancied coming out for breakfast, so I went along and met with a few of the other Canberra guys from the Australia and Samoa teams," Williams told NRL.com.

"Joey Leilua was there, Josh Papalii, Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric. They seem like great lads and I'd already been told they were very welcoming by the boys I know who have gone over there.

"I'm a bit nervous still, there's still about 20 boys to meet, but I am excited.

"After the tour I'll go home to England and get all my stuff and spend Christmas with family and then I'll fly back over with Johnny Bateman on January 2."

Former Raiders half Blake Austin, who gets his shot this weekend on the wing in Zak Hardaker's absence, is another Lion who is relishing the chance to work with Bennett.

"It was nerve-racking to get in and work with Wayne, but he's more than lived up to the hype and stories I have been told," Austin told NRL.com.

"I am enjoying seeing how he goes about his business. He is certainly different to all the other coaches I have had, and that's I guess what makes him special.

"I'm loving it and overall it's been a really good experience."