Jack Wighton's Canberra teammates have backed the five-eighth to make his State of Origin debut next month after a stellar start to the NRL season.
The 26-year-old Wighton has been close to a NSW berth before and a successful transition from fullback to the halves in 2019 could make his versatility irresistible to Blues coach Brad Fittler.
Wighton is averaging the most run metres per game (78) of any five-eighth in the competition and sits third in tackle busts (24) - but is also third in errors (19) for all players.
The Raiders playmaker said it's his "dream to pull on the sky blue jumper" and Wighton's teammates believe his form has justified selection.
Canberra forward Sia Soliola backed Wighton to prove his Origin credentials again when they host second-placed South Sydney on Saturday.
"His level of experience in multiple positions, not just fullback and five-eighth, he can cover several positions and I think that will add value to the (NSW) squad," Soliola said.
"The great thing about Jack is he's very athletic, you just put him anywhere and he's the type of player that shines."
Raiders prop Dunamis Lui expects to see Wighton named on the bench for the Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.
"I reckon he's proven himself already, especially now he's playing five-eighth and I think he'd suit that No. 14 well, being that back up back, but anywhere in that (NSW) team he'll do a good job," Lui said.
Wighton said he hadn't spoken to Fittler and emphasised his focus was bouncing back from a loss against the Sydney Roosters and beating the Rabbitohs.
"We have strike power all over the field, we were really disappointed with our first half last week," Wighton said.
However, some of that strike power has been lost with winger Jordan Rapana ruled out for three to four matches with a knee ligament strain.
"Against these top class teams you can't let them run away with it like that so definitely we have to try and start faster to stick with this team," Wighton said.
"The (Rabbitohs) are an in-form team. They've got two good halves who can put the ball anywhere with their kicking game and their forwards are second to none, they're a class team."
