Canberra’s Jack Wighton has revealed he reluctantly moved into five-eighth from fullback at Ricky Stuart’s request
Canberra’s Jack Wighton has revealed he initally resisted moving from fullback to five-eighth and only did so at the request of Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.
Raiders
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His form is helping to drive Canberra’s title tilt but Jack Wighton has revealed he reluctantly moved into the halves at Ricky Stuart’s last minute request.
Wighton told The Daily Telegraph he could sense the coach had been plotting his switch from fullback to five-eighth during pre-season.
But it wasn’t until Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad lobbed in Canberra in mid-February did Stuart tell Wighton he would be playing at five-eighth in 2019.
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At first, Wighton wasn’t “too keen” on the move.
“I had no idea [he’d actually do it] because we had plenty of halves already like Aidan Sezer, Sam Williams and Ata Hingano. But as pre-season went along he just wanted me to jump into the halves and practice a few different roles. Then Charnze turned up and he went good so Sticky said ‘I’m going to give you a run in the halves’ and that’s how it went,” Wighton said.
“I wasn’t too confident or keen about it at first.”
After starting his career as an outside back — switching between the wing and centre — Wighton was thrust into fullback permanently in 2015.
Wighton revealed after three and a half seasons at the back, he finally felt comfortable in the position and didn’t want to give up his No.1 jumper.
“I just wanted to get good at one position because I had moved through a couple over the years and when he gave me the challenge of another new position I was just sick of moving at first,” he said.
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But Wighton now has a message not only for Stuart but for other playmakers at the club, including incoming English half George Williams — who’s arrival at the Raiders is destined to give Stuart a selection headache at six and seven next season.
“It definitely won’t be happening anymore [changing positions], I won’t be moving nowhere,” Wighton said.
Like Nicoll-Klokstad in his role at fullback, Wighton has also been a revelation at five-eighth, despite his initial reservations.
Wighton’s form in the No.6 jumper has not only helped reignite a resurgent Raiders, it was rewarded with a State of Origin call-up.
“As things went on and I found my feet, I really started to enjoy the role and started to enjoy all the challenges that came with playing in the halves. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said.
But Wighton’s new found love for playmaking isn’t the only thing motivating the 26-year old.
In November 2018, Wighton was handed a two-month suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one charge of public urination. The NRL banned Wighton for 10 matches in July 2018 - effectively ending his season - and slapped him with a $30,000 fine.
Wighton told The Daily Telegraph he wants to repay Stuart and the club for sticking by him during that period.
“Their support was massive. It was a difficult part of my life and I had a lot on my mind … knowing I had the support from the board and Sticky [Stuart] during the whole situation was unbelievable. I think that’s why I am trying so hard to give back now and try and repay the favour for them standing by me,” he said.
“I want to repay the boys mostly, because I let them down.”