Maloney has flown off to the English Super League ahead of this winter after returning for the Blues in game two of last year's series and leading NSW to a stunning 2-1 triumph.

His No.6 jumper is vacant heading into this year though, and unless Maloney does an Alfie Langer and returns from the English wildersness to play Origin Nathan Cleary will have a new halves partner in blue come June.

Most good judges believe that partner will be Luke Keary, after the Roosters' star's stunning form for the tri-colours over the last two years.

Michael Ennis, though, says Wighton is the ideal man.

Speaking on the 2020 Countdown podcast with Braith Anasta, Ennis, now on the Raiders' coaching staff, says the Bloomfield and Orange CYMS junior has come back to training looking like a thoroughbred racehorse.

"He's so fit and strong," Ennis said, tipping the 2019 Clive Churchill medalist to take his game to a new level this season.

"I think he'll be better.

"The sense he's 12 months into tenure as five-eighth. He grew and grew and grew every week. His leadership and the quality he's training at, on the back of Origin, on the back of finals, he's come back in tip-top shape.

"There's no complacency in his training, he's still burning from losing that grand final."

And as such, Ennis says he's a lock for the Blues for this year's series.

But whether or not Wighton will again slot into the centres, or play in his club position at five-eighth, remains to be seen.

"At a pinch, he could quite easily fit into that five-eighth role," Ennis added.

"If Latrell (Mitchell) starts on fire ... and for some reason Keary isn't playing well, Wighton is your ideal origin five-eighth.

"His left foot kick and the aggression in his chase, he puts the fear in opposition fullbacks and wingers. He just wants to annihilate you."