Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues debutant Jack Wighton got his first taste of the highs and lows of the Holden State of Origin arena last night but he’s the first to admit a pass out wide to winger Josh Addo-Carr didn’t go to plan.
Wighton’s play came shortly after he had been injected into the game in the second half with the Blues reduced to 12 men after centre Latrell Mitchell was sin binned for a professional foul. The scores were locked at 8-all with 14 minutes remaining.
The bench utility looked to put a try on in the left corner for Addo-Carr which would have had NSW in front but unfortunately the ball was intercepted by Queensland winger Dane Gagai who raced 90 metres to score.
“It was a big letdown in the end,” Wighton told nswrl.com.au
“It was something I went for and backed myself.
“It didn’t come off how I wanted it to - but that’s just football.”
The Canberra Raiders five-eighth, who chosen on the bench by Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler for his versatility, was overall content with his efforts in his first Origin clash.
“I repaired the way I wanted to, and I made the game as healthy as I could,” Wighton said.
Fittler was also happy with Wighton’s performance, after benching five-eighth Cody Walker midway through the second half as he looked for something to spark his team.
“I just felt they (Queensland) had won a big chunk of the second half,” Fittler said.
“I felt like Cody was struggling to get into the game. Jack did a brilliant job – it was a shame he threw an intercept – but prior to that his runs were great.
“There was an opportunity to get Cody back on when we needed a few tries. He came on and did a great job. He set up one try and looked dangerous for the game.
“I thought it worked well.”
Wighton will have two games to impress on field in his Raiders jersey before the Blues team is selected for Game II in Perth.
Will he do anything differently if he gets another opportunity?
“If I get another call up, I think I’ll just go about everything the exact same way,” he said.
“There’s lots to do and we’ll get over them in the end.”
