Jack Wighton has left the door ajar for a return to representative football, but the South Sydney recruit won’t attend this weekend’s Blues camp.
Wighton retired from representative football last season and there was intrigue as to whether he would be one of the 40 possible or probable NSW players gathering in camp at NSWRL headquarters in Homebush Bay over the weekend.
As first revealed by this masthead, new Blues coach Michael Maguire is keen to bring the former Canberra playmaker back into the fold.
Wighton has told those close to him he is keen to add to his 10 appearances in the sky-blue jersey, but he also wants to show he is committed to his new team, the Rabbitohs.
While Souths are unlikely to stand in his way of representing his state, the foundation club signed him on the understanding that he would be available for them during State of Origin.
The club will likely be one of the most affected during Origin, with Cameron Murray, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tevita Tatola and Jai Arrow under consideration for state duty.
While Wighton hasn’t made a definitive backflip on his representative retirement, it is likely he could still make a Blues return after a 12-month sabbatical.
After a long stint as Canberra’s five-eighth, Wighton is expected to slot into the Rabbitohs’ star-studded backline at left centre.
It’s a position he has previously filled at representative level and Maguire is also likely to consider him as super-sub off the bench if he makes himself available.
