Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton emerges as bolter for NSW Blues utility role

Five-eighth, centre, wing, fullback - it is Jack Wighton’s sheer versatility that has raised his name at every New South Wales selection meeting held this season.

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He is being considered as the Blues’ bench star — NSW’s Jack of all trades.

Canberra’s Jack Wighton has emerged as a surprise candidate to claim a utility spot on the NSW interchange bench for State of Origin I in Brisbane on June 5.

Wighton, 26, can play five-eighth, centre, wing, fullback with NSW chief adviser Greg Alexander also saying the Raiders star could play in the middle.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Wighton has been discussed at every selection meeting held this season.

Jack Wighton could land a spot on the Blues bench.

There are just three games remaining before NSW pick their side to play Queensland at Suncorp Stadium and Wighton has the perfect chance to further press his claims with match-ups against competition heavyweights Sydney Roosters and South Sydney over the next fortnight, where he will oppose Origin hopefuls Luke Keary and Cody Walker in the No.6 jersey.

“Jack Wighton is definitely an option because of his versatility,” Alexander said. “He is someone who can play anywhere in the backline and he could play in the middle too.

“He’s a chance, absolutely.

“You wouldn’t be scared to throw Jack Wighton on anywhere. Jack has been in great form playing in a new position. The ideal utility can just about cover anywhere.

“He is a big, tough, aggressive runner of the footy. He certainly wouldn’t be out of place if you threw him on for a period in the middle of the field. He’s in good form.

“Jack has come up in just about every meeting we have had.”

Wighton has made good progress since moving to five-eighth. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images.

The only downside to Wighton’s chances is that he would struggle to play dummy-half, a position where most utilities can play, meaning the Blues could be left short should Damien Cook go down injured.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s decision to switch Wighton from fullback to five-eighth has proved a masterstroke.

He has played all eight games this season, scoring four tries.

“Jack wouldn’t let anyone down if picked for Origin,” former NSW coach and Canberra legend Laurie Daley said. “He can play a number of positions in the backline.

“He certainly wouldn’t look out of place.

“Jack is starting to feel a whole lot more comfortable in the five-eighth position. He has always been a good player. He’s one of the reasons why the Raiders are going so well.”

Wighton could cover almost every position bar hooker. AAP Image/Rohan Thomson.

Wighton has previously represented the indigenous All Stars, NSW Country and the Prime Minister’s XIII.

Gold Coast’s Tyrone Peachey, the incumbent Blues’ utility, has been patchy so far this season.

“Jack Wighton’s been in outstanding form this year,” Fittler said on The Sunday Footy Show.

“He’s just so strong, his kicking game’s been good for a first-time (half), this is the first time he’s really been in the frontline, he’s been fullback for a number of years.”

Alexander and NSW coach Brad Fittler are still mulling over the halves.

James Maloney and Nathan Cleary are the incumbents but Luke Keary and Cody Walker are placing enormous pressure on the Panthers pair.

The Blues will also be looking for a right winger to replace injured Tom Trbojevic and a middle forward for suspended back-rower Jack de Belin.

There are probably between five to seven positions still unsettled.

Originally published as Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton emerges as bolter for NSW Blues utility role