HE WAS making his NRL debut after a tumultuous build-up, and had never played wing in his life.
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But Jack Wighton endorsed his rating as the next Raiders whiz kid after producing a stellar display in Canberra's 24-12 win over Gold Coast at Skilled Park yesterday.
The 19-year-old revealed after the match it was his first-ever match on the flank, even at junior level.
Normally a centre or five-eighth, Wighton pulled off a handful of crunching tackles, and made great reads to come off his wing when required.
But he will remember his first crack at the big time for a superb piece of work which set up a first-half try to centre Jarrod Croker.
With the Raiders leading 6-0, five-eighth Terry Campese kicked high to his wing and Wighton leapt high to bat the ball inside to Croker who scored.
It was the icing on the cake of a fine debut, and justified Canberra's decision to fight a charge at the judiciary on Wednesday night.
Wighton's debut was in danger of being put on hold after he was placed on report for a grade-two dangerous throw in the Toyota Cup last week.
Canberra coach David Furner represented the Orange junior himself and was successful in having the charge downgraded.
He justified that faith in yesterday's win, the Raiders' first since July 24 and their breakthrough win at Skilled Park in five attempts.
''We went down there on Wednesday [the judiciary] and I just had a really good feeling after that,'' Furner said.
''He got downgraded which allowed him to make his debut, and they're the things as a coach that are special. I was really proud of him.''
The two most nervous people in the 11,378-strong crowd were Wighton's parents David and Loretta.
David admitted his son was nervous before the judiciary hearing, but his modesty allowed him to focus on the job at hand.
''It was his first go at wing so they've obviously taught him very well,'' David said.
''What the club did for him [at the judiciary] was terrific, and he's looking like he may be able to repay that.
''I've seen him do tackles like that when he was 12 years old, he likes to whack them and get them square in the middle and that's what hurts them.''
With fellow prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs missing through injury, Raiders giant David Shillington was in superb touch.
The 28-year-old pressed his claims to regain his Queensland Origin jersey after running for 196m off 21 hit-ups and making 21 tackles.
Raiders halfback Josh McCrone and fullback Josh Dugan were again influential, while Croker scored two tries.
Wighton, who replaced Reece Robinson in the side, was softly spoken after the match.
''Furnsey just talked to me during the week and told me to relax, fortunately we got off at the judiciary and it was great,'' Wighton said.
''Throughout the pre-season I've trained a bit on the wing, but I knew [Titans halfback] Scott Prince is a tricky little player and I didn't know what to expect. I thought I did ok, I guess.''
Raiders prop Dane Tilse (rib) is in some doubt to miss Sunday's away clash with the Roosters.
