Jack Wighton's got a taste for rep footy and he's hungry for more. Now the Canberra Raider's hoping to dine on Kangaroo.
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While he came back from State of Origin a "bit bashed", Wighton loved the experience and will use it to drive the Green Machine charge to the finals.
And look out Wests Tigers. He's expecting his combination with halfback Aidan Sezer to improve now that they've had the chance to train together.
The lead-up to the Raiders' clash with Wests at Canberra Stadium on Saturday was the first chance they'd had to train together since Sezer came back into the team in June.
Wighton's been ducking off to NSW Blues camp during that time, helping them claim the Origin series.
That also propelled him into Australia coach Mal Meninga's Origin merit team, which was announced last Sunday.
It's thrust Wighton into contention to be part of the Kangaroos' end-of-season Tests against New Zealand and Tonga in October.
That's something Wighton was keen for and he'll use the rest of the Raiders' campaign to state his case for selection.
"It's all good and well, but it means nothing for now," he said.
"I've got to keep performing and thinking in the now. But I was definitely blown away and just loving every moment of it.
"It's definitely given me something else to strive for.
"Now I know he's got me in contention I'll just keep putting my best foot forward and working really hard to try and achieve that."
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How to achieve that? Get the Raiders to finals.
And that begins against Wests. The win will not only keep them in the top four, but also put them within touching distance of a guaranteed finals berth.
"That's right mate - I'm doing well when we do well," Wighton said.
"That's the main goal, get the boys around the park and keep trying to get the two points."
While Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was wary of the Tigers' halves, they should also be wary of Wighton and Sezer.
Wighton's coming off a successful Origin campaign and Sezer's coming off what Stuart said was his best game in lime green.
That was a sentiment Wighton echoed and he warned the duo could be even better this week having finally spent some time together on the training paddock.
"That's the best communication I've had off him this year. It was unreal mate," he said of Sezer's game against St George Illawarra.
"He led us around the park. Got the boys where we needed to be.
"I knew every moment in the game what we were doing with his communication and it really showed in the result.
"I haven't gotten to train with him since he's been back in the side. Now we're starting to train together hopefully we'll improve again."
While Wighton loved the Origin experience, he was happy to be back with his "boys".
"It's crazy, I'm just coming back to reality now. I really enjoyed my experience, but I'm happy to be back with the boys now. I missed all the lads," he said.
"I appreciate this bunch of boys and they've helped me a lot this year and last year. I definitely show it."
NRL ROUND 18
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Corey Horsburgh, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Emre Guler. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 21. JJ Collins.
Tigers squad: 3. Moses Mbye, 2. Paul Momirovski, 17. Michael Chee-Kam, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. David Nofoaluma, 6. Benji Marshall, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Ryan Matterson, 12. Chris Lawrence, 13. Matt Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Elijah Taylor, 20. Luke Garner. Reserves: 18. Tommy Talau, 19. Chris McQueen.