Canberra Raiders star Jack Wighton says it's "all hot air" he could contend for the vacant NSW Blues No.1 jersey this year, admitting he's yet to prove himself in the position at NRL club level.
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While Wighton, 22, is part of the All Stars cast for this Friday night's NRL exhibition match on the Gold Coast, he fobbed off media speculation he could put himself in line to make his Origin debut this year in place of Jarryd Hayne if he adapts well to his new fullback role at the Raiders.
"It's all hot air at the moment, that kind of talk," Wighton said. "I've got to prove myself. You've got to let your game do the talking.
"I don't really listen to that stuff, I don't read many papers or watch much news, I prefer watching movies."
Former Raiders player Josh Dugan would seem the early front-runner for the Blues No.1 jersey, along with Manly's Brett Stewart and Penrith's Matt Moylan, who will start at fullback for the NRL All Stars on Friday.
Wighton will start the season at fullback for the Raiders, having made an encouraging shift to the position for the final three games last year.
But while he's keen to shake the utility tag at club level, it could be his biggest asset in playing more representative football.
Wighton has represented NSW Country in the centres and will start his second game for the Indigenous All Stars on Friday from the bench.
While NSW coach Laurie Daley had him training in the centres and at wing, Wighton could even find himself filling in in the backrow in an under-sized Indigenous team.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said it was a sign of Wighton's ability that he could play anywhere, but he's been impressed by his transition to fullback.
"He's pretty much a natural there, he's handling it well," Stuart said.
"He's more settled because he's been focusing on one position. He's had an injury-free preparation, it's given him a full off-season, he's fit and healthy. He's probably a little bigger than last year and he's fitter because he hasn't had any disruptions.
"He's in a position he's enjoying and he's got a lot of energy, which is great."
There are questions about the future of the All Stars concept, given the crowded NRL schedule and slow ticket sales for this year's contest. But Wighton was unconditionally supportive.
"I'm a massive supporter of it, we need to keep it going as long as we can," Wighton said. "It's definitely worth holding onto, all the boys get to represent their people, it's an exciting game."
