Jack Wighton denies he's in a battle with Nicho Hynes for the NSW No.14 jersey after both were named in the state's 22-man squad for State of Origin game one.
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The Canberra five-eighth is tipped to be listed in the reserves when NSW coach Brad Fittler names his starting line-up today, with the Cronulla halfback to claim the pivotal bench utility slot.
It would be the first time since 2018 Wighton has been left out of a NSW squad, having played at centre, five-eighth and off the bench through the past three series.
But a circumspect Wighton said he headed to NSW camp keen to do whatever he could to help his side retain the shield.
"It's no battle for me - if he picks you, he picks you, and if you don't (get picked), you don't," he said after a handy showing in Canberra's 28-20 loss to Parramatta on Sunday.
"If he does, I'll go out there and do my job and take the faith he's put in me ... If not, I'll help the boys prep and we'll go from there.
"I've always said it leading up, it's all about what you're gonna do (for Canberra) if you get picked.
"I've been having fun playing with the boys and giving my all, and that's all I can do."
Wighton had been floated as a potential centre option for the Blues given injuries to Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, particularly since he's started five of his nine NSW appearances at that position.
But the impressive form of Brisbane's Kotoni Staggs and Penrith's Stephen Crichton have left him fighting for the bench utility role seemingly won by the in-form Hynes.
Either way, Wighton acknowledged the honour of even being in the mix.
"It's always one of the pinnacles of our game and I'm looking forward to getting there and meeting all the boys and getting to know them and playing my part," he said.
Australian Associated Press
