SBW fan Willison ‘slams’ Broncos for Penrith test

In 11 games, 10 of which as a substitute, Willison has averaged 103 metres and made 20 tackles per game, as well as scoring twice.

But it is especially the impact of this 199 cm tall and 114 kg heavy monster that draws attention.

When Queensland mainstay Thomas Flegler left Brisbane late last year, the Broncos were on the lookout for a promising player who could take their game to the next level.

Willison has delivered.

Broncos head of recruitment Simon Scanlan signed New Zealand-born Willison when he was 15 years old and dreamed of becoming an All Black and following in the footsteps of the two-time international Williams.

“I was primarily a union member, so I kept an eye on Sonny Bill,” Willison said.

“He was constantly switching between Super Rugby and NRL.

“I liked his defense… his hitting… and his offload.”

Willison wants to put his own stamp on the Broncos and form a partnership with agent Payne Haas that could see him win the Premier League.

“That’s absolutely the goal,” he said.

“Payne has been a great example in the development of my game, coming from the union.

“I try to shape my game around him. He told me to keep running hard and keep my game simple.”

Willison has shown he is strong after two knee reconstructions.

Broncos and Queensland player Patrick Carrigan helped him with that.

“I’ve had two injuries to my anterior cruciate ligament and last year I also had an injury to my shoulder,” he says.

“Now that I’m back from that and have got some playing time, I’m confident,” he said.

“When I did my ACL, Patty had also just come back from an ACL. We were in rehab together and I was trying to follow in his footsteps.

“He took everything very seriously during his rehabilitation and is a real leader.

“I had to trust the process and hope that I would come out stronger and fitter.”

Willison, who played in the 32-16 defeat to the Warriors in the previous round and was one of the Broncos’ best players, has been benched for Friday night’s Grand Final rematch against Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.

He will face New Zealand mainstays James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, who he hopes to one day play alongside for the Kiwis.

“I look forward to such challenges and I look forward to Friday night,” he said.

“I’m not going to downplay it, they’re pretty good.”