Canberra skipper Terry Campese says he is happy to hand on his treasured No.6 jersey to youngster Jack Wighton, endorsing the comparisons to Laurie Daley and declaring the 21-year-old is destined for State of Origin football as early as this year.
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Just 27 games into his NRL career, Wighton will start at five-eighth for the first time against Australia's champion No.6 Johnathan Thurston, in Saturday's season-opener against North Queensland in Townsville.
It is arguably the biggest challenge in rugby league - Thurston won his second Golden Boot award last year. But Campese has faith in his new halves partner, saying it is not beyond Wighton to face-off against Queensland's Thurston again in State of Origin as early as this year.
''It's a good first-up challenge,'' Campese said. ''There's no better way to kick off your career as a five-eighth than playing against one of the best that's ever played the game.
''But there's no doubts in my mind, the team's or the coaching staff, that Jack's going to be a success there. It was only a matter of time before he moved there so we could get his hands on the ball more.
''He played a fair bit of five-eighth when he was younger, so I think it just comes natural to him … Jacko will be wearing the six and I'll be in the seven. I can't wait to run out there, be a bit closer to the ruck and play in the halves with him. He's a great defender and he's definitely someone who will be pushing for representative honours this year as well.''
Wighton represented NSW Country last year but Raiders coach Ricky Stuart immediately identified him as a five-eighth when he took over at the club in October last year.
Stuart has compared him to former teammate Daley, who also started his career in the centres and became one of Australia's great five-eighths.
Campese - who played one Test for Australia in 2008 and for NSW in 2009 - said that Wighton's versatility made him an ideal representative candidate for the Blues, under Daley's coaching.
''Laurie started in the centres as well, so it's very similar pathways they've taken in their careers,'' Campese said. ''He could play anywhere, the choice is really open. If he can make a good fist of five-eighth, there's no reason he can't make it there. Even on the bench as a utility. He's a young kid on the rise and hopefully this year's the year.''
Campese and Wighton are yet to play a game together in the halves; Campese rested during the pre-season trials. But the skipper was confident the pair would click and the combination could provide more variety in attack for the Raiders.
