Jack Wighton's versatility has already seen him shine at centre for NSW and take Canberra to a preliminary final playing five-eighth and he'll be hoping it gives him an edge in the race for spots in Mal Meninga's Test side.
After a stellar season at NRL and Origin level, the Raiders playmaker is right in the frame for the October 25 clash with New Zealand and Meninga is well aware what he can bring to the table.
"He's a real footballer – he can play anywhere and is a great defender. There's no coincidence that with Jack being in the line on the left side of the Raiders, they have improved this year on that edge," Meninga said in his weekly NRL.com column last Saturday.
If Wighton was to earn a spot in the national team, it would cap a remarkable season for the 26-year-old.
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However, he isn't getting ahead of himself knowing there is still work to be done in a different kind of green jersey, as the Raiders take on South Sydney for a spot in the club's first grand final since 1994.
"That's what it's all about, it's something to chase (Australian jersey) but as I have said before, it's about focusing week to week and then if he thinks I'm ready for the task I'm sure he will take me on board," Wighton told NRL.com.
"To get that chance it will be a dream come true but for now the focus is on the Raiders."
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Raiders
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Wighton admitted he did not watch the Rabbitohs' dramatic win over Manly last weekend, preferring to keep to his usual pattern of getting away from the game when he can.
"I'm one of the boys who didn't watch it, I never watch it during the round either, I just do what I have to do," he said.
"We do enough video during the week to know what's going on (with the opposition)."
Wighton said he expected Souths to be much tougher defensively than the side that has given up 56 points in the last two weeks.
However, the home side will be spurred on by a full house at GIO Stadium after tickets sold out for the game in six minutes.
"It's going to be amazing, honestly the crowds when we have 17,000 here seem crazy because it's a slow stadium and you can hear everyone so to have that crowd as a sell-out it's going be great," Wighton said.
