Monday Buzz: Ricky Stuart’s rare praise for Canberra Raiders star
After bouncing back from rugby league’s scrapheap, Jack Wighton has enjoyed a breakout season for Canberra — and been compared to one of the game’s genuine greats.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Revealed — why Burgess did it
What’s the Buzz: Bulldogs eye huge Canberra raid
A year ago, Jack Wighton’s career was on the rugby league scrapheap.
Fast forward 12 months and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is comparing him to his old halves partner, superstar five-eighth Laurie Daley.
It’s a massive statement but not that ridiculous considering the manner in which Wighton outplayed Queensland and Kangaroos five-eighth Cameron Munster in Melbourne on Saturday.
Ten runs and 91m in a final is big time for a five-eighth.
“He’s the closest thing to Laurie Daley outside of Laurie’s sisters,” Stuart said.
More Monday Buzz — Highlights, lowlights: Big changes at Broncos
Stream every match of the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“He tackles like him, runs like him and competes like him.
“That’s why I love the kid … he’s such a competitor.
“I’m not saying he’s got as much ability as Laurie but they’re so similar.”
Wighton’s switch to five-eighth this year has been a coaching masterstroke.
Stuart tried him in the number six jersey when Wighton first arrived in the national capital in 2014.
“He didn’t have the confidence or maturity to handle it back then,” Stuart said.
“His game has really grown this year and playing Origin has really helped in his development.”
Yet 12 months ago it could have been so different.
His drunken assault of three men in a wild rampage on the street outside a Canberra nightclub could have been not just a career ender but led to time in jail.
It was made worse, and more damaging for the NRL and Canberra Raiders, when shocking footage was released in public. Yet all along the Raiders stuck by him and it’s been a remarkable turnaround.
“There was never a chance we’d cut him,” Stuart said.
“The board backed him 100 per cent.
“We don’t condone what he did but we supported him because it was a mistake all young men can make.
“His comeback from that has been all his own doing. He’s made the right choices.
“You can get all the help in the world but you’ve still got to do it yourself.”
Wighton is now locked in a fascinating battle with the likes of Munster and Luke Keary to be named Kangaroos five-eighth at the end of the season.
It’s such a long way from the ACT magistrates court.
Working in Wighton’s favour, especially for a bench position, is his versatility in being able to play five-eighth, centre or fullback.
He can do it even better than the likes of Kalyn Ponga and Latrell Mitchell.
The remainder of the finals series will determine whether he gets there.
Originally published as Monday Buzz: Ricky Stuart’s rare praise for Canberra Raiders star