Williame enjoying being away from NRL pressure-cooker

Catalan centre Brayden Williame will be back on the biggest stage when he runs out at St James’ Park for the Magic Weekend on Sunday.

The Dragons take on Huddersfield looking to pick up two much-needed competition points against a Giants side that they beat last month.

Williame, 24, was a close season arrival from Manly, and he is enjoying being away from the pressures that the NRL brings.

He said: “I’m really enjoying it at the moment – it’s been a good change for me.

“I’ve come over here looking to improve my footy and just enjoy it a bit more. The pressures of the NRL can get a bit much sometimes, so I was just looking to get away.

“Magic Weekend is a great concept, similar to the Auckland Nines, to get all the fans in at one time and get the stadium packed out and make a lot of noise and enjoy the day.

“We’ve got five or six players coming back this week. I’ve thought from the start that if we get our best 17 on the field, we will be one of the best teams.

“It’s just a matter of getting that to happen and build a bit of consistency. We’ve shown that we can beat the best teams.”

The Dragons’ top eight place is under threat this weekend, with them currently above Warrington on points difference alone.

A defeat to the Giants would also bring Rick Stone’s men within one point of the Dragons, as the race to avoid the bottom four hots up.