ORANGE junior Jack Wighton is one step closer to completing a boyhood dream following his inclusion in the New South Wales squad ahead of State of Origin two next Wednesday.
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Considered a future Blue after inclusions in NSW emerging squads, Wighton was included in Laurie Daley’s squad yesterday so the Canberra Raiders youngster can gain experience inside the Blues camp.
It’s the strongest indication yet Wighton is considered a Blues star in waiting.
Despite playing five-eighth for Canberra in the opening nine rounds of the season, Wighton was selected in the centres for Country and was highly impressive in the side’s 26-all draw with City in May at Caltex Park, Dubbo.
Since reverting to the centres for the Raiders, the Australian Schoolboy representative has registered some marvellous statistics in his last four appearances: three tries, three try assists, six line breaks, two line break assists and an average of five tackle breaks, 122 metres and 13 well-timed tackles per match.
Raiders captain Terry Campese, a Blues representative in 2009, has no doubt that his prodigiously talented teammate will succeed in State of Origin and has backed Wighton to do the job if called upon to play.
“His selection in the Blues squad is obviously an indication of how highly Jack is regarded as a representative prospect and it is a good reward for the hard work that he has put in at training and for his performances for the Raiders,” Campese said.
“Being surrounded by the best players in NSW will provide Jack with a nice injection of confidence and will help to fast-track his development in taking his game to a new level.”
