Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson has revealed he initially told Ricky Stuart that Jack Wighton's switch to five-eighth wouldn't work and the Raiders coach should abandon the plan.
Wighton is set to start the season at No.6 for the Raiders in their opening-round clash with the Gold Coast, after moving from the fullback role he has commanded for the majority of his NRL career.
The 26-year-old set up two tries late in the Raiders' come-from-behind trial win over Canterbury, in what is the biggest sign yet his move to the halves alongside Aidan Sezer could pay dividends for the Raiders.
Hodgson admitted he has had a change of heart since returning to pre-season training for Canberra following England's end-of-year Test series against New Zealand.
"For me when I first spoke to Ricky about it, I said no," Hodgson said at Wednesday's Fox League launch.
"I told him very bluntly I don't think it will work, he's just too good at the back for us defensively and when he gets the ball in his hands to move him. I was pushing against it.
"But once I went to training and I saw the boys train a few times, I saw him with the ball in his hands and I changed my mind.
"He's so big and strong and if you half go in on him and you're not quite committed he's through and he's gone."
"Once I saw the skill level I just thought the more often we can get the ball in his hands the better."
Meanwhile, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad appears to have won the race for the Wighton's old No.1 jersey ahead of Nick Cotric, Michael Oldfield and Brad Abbey.
Nicoll-Klokstad, who spent time in Melbourne's under-20s program before moving to the Warriors, has impressed in both trials at fullback for Canberra.
Cotric is then expected to stay on the left wing, while Michael Oldfield in is a battle with Brad Abbey for the right flank.
"It was obviously a decision of who do we play at the back, but I reckon we have found someone in Charnze who can play at there," Hodgson said.
"He has really surprised me with how professional and cool he is at the back."
