NSW Blues advisor Greg Alexander says the Raiders five-eighth was definitely in line for both left centre and the No.14 jersey when Origin kicks off against Queensland on June 8.

Alexander said Wighton's strong start to the season meant the Green Machine's contrasting form - that has them sitting 15^th on the ladder - wouldn't hurt his chances of playing on the big stage.

Plus Wighton's already "been there", playing in the NSW centres for five of his nine Origins.

He's also filled the utility role off the bench on three occasions.

With Latrell Mitchell's hamstring injury potentially ruling him out of the Origin opener, Wighton's one of a number of candidates for left centre.

There's also Penrith centre Stephen Crichton - who was involved in a bit of push-and-shove with Wighton when their two teams met at Penrith on Sunday.

Alexander said Wighton's past performance for the Blues and his form for the Raiders over the opening seven rounds had him firmly in the selection frame.

"If a side's battling it doesn't hurt someone's chances - unless someone has completely lost form altogether, which Jack hasn't," he said.

"Jack's done a good job whenever he's been in the [Blues] side, whether it's in the centres or off the bench - he's versatile.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about a lot of centres that are in good form, but Jack's right up there. He's been there.

"He's in the mix for both [centre and No.14] for sure."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Crichton's another who could come in for Mitchell, having not only been part of the Panther's premiership last year but also part of the Blues squad in 2020.

He scored a hat-trick against the Green Machine on the weekend, with his final two tries coming in the space of three minutes as the Panthers ran over the top of the visitors.

There's also Cronulla centre Siosifa Talakai, whose start to the season has propelled him into talk of making his Origin debut.

"He's been in terrific form Stephen ... there's a list of centres that are going well," Alexander said.

"He was part of the camp in '20, he just didn't get a game, but he was there for the month following the grand final.

"He's familiar with what goes on - even though he hasn't played a game yet."

Alexander said it had been a tough start to the season for the Raiders, pointing to the loss of their first-choice halfback Jamal Fogarty (knee) and hooker Josh Hodgson (knee) as two big blows.

He also said the fact their fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had struggled to find his best form meant their spine had been decimated.

But that being said, the Raiders' clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Redcliffe on Saturday was must-win.

"It's been a tough start. They've obviously missed Jamal Fogarty and Hodgson," Alexander said.

"[Hooker Tom] Starling's been going well, but they're pretty big outs - your dummy half and your halfback.

"All off-season preparing with those two and then to lose them very early on it makes it difficult.

"But they need to get a win and this weekend's absolutely crucial against the Warriors.

"Charnze hasn't been playing with the same energy he has the last couple of years.

"If you take your fullback out that's been so good for you over the last couple of years, you take your halfback out and you take your hooker out it's tough.

"You do that to any side and they're battling."

While it's a battle of two teams that are battling - the Raiders have lost their past four and the Warriors are coming off a 60-point drubbing where the Melbourne Storm racked up 70 points - it was still a game Alexander was looking forward to.

Both teams will be desperate to turn their form around.

Alexander had no idea who would win.

"One coming off [conceding] 70 and the other desperate to get their third win of the season so I think it's a must-watch game myself," he said.

"I think it's going to be a good one. I don't know who's going to win, but I think it's going to be a good one."

NRL ROUND EIGHT

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Redcliffe, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 15. Corey Harawira-Naera, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Harry Rushton, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Jarrod Croker, 21. Emre Guler, 22. Trey Mooney, 23. James Schiller, 24. Peter Hola.

Warriors squad: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Rocco Berry, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Viliami Vailea, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Taniela Otukolo, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Jack Murchie. Reserves: 18. Edward Kosi, 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 21. Daejarn Asi, 22. Pride Petterson-Robati, 23. Junior Ratuva, 24. Valingi Kepu, 25. Jackson Frei.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: