Few players adapted quicker than Charly Runciman at Widnes last season and with speculation of his departure the club must fight to hold on to a promising asset.
With rumour surrounding the 22 year-old that he may be moving either back to the Southern Hemisphere or to a rival Super League side, Widnes must hold strong to ensure he remains in their squad for next season.
After joining the Vikings prior to the Super 8s Qualifiers, Runciman was a relatively unknown asset, but with 6 tries in 12 games in the NRL with St. George Illawara, he clearly had an eye for the try-line.
His impact at Widnes was instantaneous, with a debut brace against Halifax and another the following week against Sheffield.
Albeit against Championship sides, he added further tries against Hull KR and promotion-chasers Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions.
The defining question is ultimately whether he can maintain a similar tally, that saw him score seven tries in as many games, against Super League sides on a regular basis.
Six of the seven tries last season came against Championship sides, as the only two teams he did not cross the whitewash against in the Super 8s were fellow Super League sides Salford Red Devils and Wakefield Wilcats.
Despite losing winger Jack Owens to St Helens, Widnes have strengthened in the outside-backs with Corey Thompson and Chris Bridge from Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Warrington Wolves respectively, and still have the firepower of Patrick Ah Van on the wing.
Runciman could offer his own dynamic in the edges with a proven try-scoring ability of his own in the Super 8s last season and he could prove that his tally was not just the result of a honeymoon.
Although he may not be proven in the Super League, he could be a prolific try-scorer next season in the competition, or prove to be a reliable understudy in the NRL, but Widnes must hold on to ensure that another side are not reaping the benefits of his ability.
