Ricky Stuart calls for Brad Fittler to start Jack Wighton in Origin II

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart knows what it takes to win at Origin level, and he believes NSW coach Brad Fittler must start Jack Wighton at five-eighth if the Blues are to keep the series alive.

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Ricky Stuart won four State of Origin series with NSW as a player and has also lifted the prized-shield as a coach.

He understands the enormity of Origin and therefore the pressure on NSW coach Brad Fittler to save the series from being lost to Queensland in Perth in just 15 days.

“I want to win as much as Freddy (Fittler) does, which is why we’re a better chance with Jack Wighton starting at five-eighth,” Stuart told The Sunday Telegraph.

Jack Wighton should start in Origin two, according to Ricky Stuart. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

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“Don't think this is the Raiders coach pushing his own player.

“It's got to do with knowing what Origin success looks like and in Origin you need footballers — you don't necessarily need specialists.

“What he (Wighton) lacks in experience as a five-eighth, he makes up in the will to compete.”

The Blues five-eighth position for Origin II in Perth is now at the centre of widespread debate after Origin I pivot Cody Walker was subbed out of the game by Fittler in the 58th minute of the Blues 18-14 loss last Wednesday night.

Wighton had a mixed night on his Origin debut. Picture: Darren England

If Fittler opts to cut-and-run from Walker, the leading candidates to wear the No.6 jumper are Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Wighton.

Stuart said Walker should remain in the final 17 — just not starting.

“Outside of James Tedesco and Damien Cook, the two best players for NSW were on the bench, Cameron Murray and Jack Wighton, so start them (in Game two),”' Stuart said.

“Start your best players, they’re your benchmark because they had the same energy as Tedesco.

Stuart says Cody Walker should be utilised off the bench. Picture: Dave Hunt

“You need footballers in Origin and right now we’ve got some players in Origin jumpers that aren’t Origin quality.

“I think Cody Walker is a wonderful player. But there was no connection between the seven and the six the other night.

“Cody Walker has a definite role to play in the NSW side, which is why I think the role should be reversed with Jack.

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“Cody is better utilised off the bench to come on and provide the attacking spark late in the game.

“You can then move Jack to anywhere in the backline or number 13.”

Just 48 hours after his NSW Origin debut, Wighton was superb for the Raiders in their clinical 28-0 carve-up of the Tigers on Friday night.

His brutal defence rocked the Tigers on several occasions while his booming kick — which reached a game-high 371-metres — kept the retreating Tigers from commencing the majority of their sets from inside their 10-metre area.

Weighing 94kg, Wighton is in the mould of big-bodied Blues five-eighths of the past including Laurie Daley, Trent Barrett, Greg Bird and, of course, Fittler.

His imposing size was noticeable on Wednesday night as he delivered three tackle busts from his five runs.

Interestingly, Wighton isn't perceived as a noted short-game kicker.

Yet ahead of his clash with the Tigers he had the equal amount of forced drop-outs (eight) as what Nathan Cleary and Pearce had so far this season.

The Raiders pivot also has achieved more 40/20s than Cooper Cronk and Maloney this year.

Fittler will select his squad for Origin II next Sunday.