NRL stars call out vile racist attack after Jack Wighton signs with South Sydney
Stars from around the game have united to call out a vile attack on Raiders superstar Jack Wighton, just hours after he announced a bombshell move.
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NRL stars from around the game have condemned a vile social media attack on Canberra Raiders superstar Jack Wighton, just hours after his move to the Rabbitohs was confirmed.
Wighton posted evidence of an onslaught of cowardly attacks from one follower on Wednesday, with a screenshot of the abuse uploaded to his Instagram stories.
The messages included slurs such as “weak gutted dog” and a “f**king dog c**t” as well as a vile racist comment news.com.au has chosen not to publish.
Alongside the messages, Wighton, a proud Wiradjuri man from the Orange area, wrote: “stooping low here, for what reason little coward”.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting the NRL integrity unit will investigate the social media attack on the 30-year-old Raiders five-eighth.
“It’s absolutely abhorrent that we have people that talk to anyone in that way, whether they are a footballer or a member of the public,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo told the paper.
“The integrity unit will now investigate to try to track down the person and take the appropriate action.”
NRL stars from around the game have also united in support of Wighton, who will join South Sydney on a four-year, $3.4 million deal from 2024 onwards.
The support came alongside a powerful post from Wighton’s Raiders halves partner Jamal Fogarty, who captioned an image of the Indigenous pair: “We need strong consequences/actions for this disgraceful behaviour and show the country we don’t accept racism. Support your players #saynotoracism”.
Wighton’s future Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker wrote: “Rubbish behaviour.”
Raiders winger Jordan Rapana wrote: “Spot on my brah.”
Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes responded by writing, “Well said bro.”
Former NRL star Greg Bird wrote about the abuser: “Small minded scum. I hope you’re good down there kid. Go the Raiders!”
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith showed his support by writing: “With you lads all the way. Low human man.”
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo wrote: “Weak.”
The disgraceful attack came just hours after the Raiders broke their silence about Wighton’s impending departure, weeks after the club’s most important player was offered $4.4m across four seasons to stay.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart hit out at the “flawed” NRL contracting system as he confirmed Wighton would be leaving next season.
Stuart said the club did “everything possible to keep Jack at the Raiders” and it was “not fair” to see Wighton paraded as a player for another club midway through the season.
“I want to let our loyal members and fans know that I bleed green as much as you do, and as much as it hurts today, our future is still ahead of us, and we will continue on the path we best see fit to give this club the success it deserves,” Stuart said.
“As a club, we believe the current contracting system where players can sign well out from the end of their current contract is flawed. It is not fair to you who I see as our major stakeholders, the club, and as importantly the players. I know it would have been hard for you, our Raiders fans, because I know what the feeling was like for me to see an image of Jack in a Souths jersey (digitally altered) on the back page of a Sydney paper today.
“What we can do is to assure you that the club will continue to invest in our successful development and pathways systems and continue to give players the opportunity to represent you and our great club, like so many have done over the last 40-plus years.
“I personally won’t rest in my drive to make this club successful for you. Rest assured the current season is still our number one focus and priority. We appreciate all of your support, and we can’t wait to see you at the footy.”
Wighton is set to play in the centres at South and it’s believed his friendship with Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell helped seal the deal.
Rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga said Wighton saw his best chance of success with South Sydney.
“For me Jack obviously hasn’t got any confidence in the Raiders (winning) a premiership in the near future, which disappoints me, to be honest with you,” he told SEN.
“In my opinion, he’s a leader of the club. He’d want to win a premiership with the club this year, wouldn’t he? Anyone that’s playing in the game at the moment wants to get on a run and win the premiership.”
Originally published as NRL stars call out vile racist attack after Jack Wighton signs with South Sydney
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