NRL news: Souths recruit Wighton ready for life as a Rabbitoh

High-profile South Sydney recruit Jack Wighton is ready for the pressure comes with playing for one of the NRL’s biggest clubs as coach Jason Demetriou declares where his star signing will play.

Bring it on.

That’s the attitude of high-profile South Sydney recruit Jack Wighton, who says he’s ready for the intense pressure and spotlight that comes with playing for one of the biggest clubs in the NRL.

Wighton’s career-defining decision to leave Canberra after 12 years will be realised when he makes his debut for the Rabbitohs against arch-rivals the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

“I reckon it’s going to really hit home when I run out with the Rabbit on my chest,” Wighton said.

And amid a disappointing 0-2 start to the season, Souths coach Jason Demetriou has put to bed any suggestion of Wighton making his club debut in any other position than centre.

Jack Wighton looks on during the pre-season clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

“Jack’s put the work all pre-season at centre, we all know he’s a world-class footballer and that he’s a world-class centre who has the ability to make the players around him feel more confident,” Demetriou said.

“As for what the actual backline looks like, we’ll get together on Monday and check the health of our players and make a final call on who might move to the wing.

“We’ve been looking forward to having Jack back on the field with us all pre-season, he’s an experienced player and we can’t wait to have him back out there.

“It’s a big game because it’s the Roosters, but really every game we play is a big game. It’s Cam Murray’s 150th game as well.‘’

Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray will be celebrating his 150th NRL game in next week’s derby against the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

Wighton’s decision last April to leave the Raiders at the end of 2023 where he had made his NRL debut in 2012, and move to the Rabbitohs was one of the biggest stories of last year.

The 31-year-old said he knew at the time of signing with Souths that one of the greatest challenges would be the amount of scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing with such a high-profile club.

Wighton will make his club debut in one of the biggest derby matches of the season with South Sydney chasing their first win of 2024 against the Roosters.

“It’s going to be another part of that change and journey that I’m going to experience and take it on,” Wighton said.

“I’ll give it a red hot crack each week, I’ll put my best foot forward and outside noise is outside noise.

“It’s a simple game that we play and unfortunately outside noise can get big and Souths are a club that is in the middle of the spotlight.”

Wighton also reflected on his emotional decision to leave Canberra.

Jack Wighton (back, centre) was unable to play for the Rabbitohs in Vegas due to suspension. Picture: NRL Images

“I just needed a change. I was in the same place for so long and it was a conversation that me and my wife had,” Wighton said.

“It just came to the stage where I needed a change.

“I have a lot of beautiful history with Canberra and I will always love the club.

“But I thought I would jump outside my comfort zone and make that change and give it a go.

“I’m getting exactly that.

“Living in Sydney, there’s new adventures. I’ve never lived so close to the beaches.

“Then there’s the footy side, it’s all new faces, new relationships and new styles of playing.

“Souths are such an historic club, it’s awesome to be a part of that.”

SIXES AND SEVENS

While much of the microscope has been placed under halfback Lachlan Ilias, the performance of his senior halves partner Cody Walker also needs to be explored.

Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker is yet to produce a try assist or line break assist this season. Picture: Getty Images

The usually fleet-footed Walker was run down by former teammate Adam Reynolds on Thursday night and it looks like an injury hampered pre-season has taken its toll early.

Walker is yet to produce a try assist or a line-break assist from either of his two matches.

While defensively he has been solid, the 34-year-old needs more production with the ball otherwise expect the narrative to shift to Walker’s age.

CENTRE OF ATTENTION

Jack Wighton makes a timely return for South Sydney.

A genuine superstar whose big body on an edge will help not only with the football but defensively too.

The test will be for South Sydney is how the halves can give Wighton the opportunities he needs outwide.

The unavailbility of Campbell Graham has left a massive hole in South Sydney’s centres. Picture: Getty Images

The unavailability of star centres Wighton and Campbell Graham has hurt early.

Wighton has played very limited amount of NRL at centre in recent years so that too may take some time.

But time is not what South Sydney has at the moment.

MURRAY ON AN EDGE

There is little doubt Cameron Murray is one of the best forwards in the game.

But the Rabbitohs skipper does not have the same impact on a match when he is lined up out wide.

Cameron Murray must be shifted back to the middle so he can make the impact the Rabbitohs need. Picture: Getty Images

It came through necessity given the injury to Jai Arrow, however Murray needs to be shifted back into his preferred middle of the field role.

He is such a vital link man with the football but defensively he provides a much needed starch in the middle part of the field.

Murray needs to go back there to help curtail the Roosters’ impressive middle men including Victor Radley, Linsday Collins and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

- Michael Carayannis

Originally published as NRL news: Souths recruit Wighton ready for life as a Rabbitoh