Jack Wighton

Jack Wighton
Personal information
Born (1993-02-04) 4 February 1993
Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Height 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
Playing information
Position Fullback, Centre, Five-eighth, Wing

Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012– Canberra Raiders 119 34 0 0 136
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–17 Indigenous All Stars 3 0 0 0 0
2013–16 NSW Country 4 1 0 0 4
2015 Prime Minister's XIII 1 1 0 0 4
As of 3 October 2017
Source: [1]

Jack Wighton (born 4 February 1993) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League. A Country Origin, Indigenous All Stars and Prime Minister's XIII representative player, he primarily plays as at fullback but can fill in at five-eighth and centre.

Background

Born in Orange, New South Wales, Wighton is of Indigenous Australian descent.[2] Wighton played his junior football for Orange CYMS and Bloomfield Tigers before being signed by the Canberra Raiders.

Jack Wighton playing for the Canberra Raiders U20s side

Playing career

Wighton played for the Raiders NYC team in 2011 before being promoted to the Raiders full-time NRL squad. Wighton has represented NSW Under 18s and Australian Schoolboys in 2010.[3][4]

2012

In round 2 of the 2012 NRL season, Wighton made his NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders against the Gold Coast Titans, having an impressive debut match on the wing in the Raiders 24-12 win at Robina Stadium.[5] In round 6, against the New Zealand Warriors, Wighton scored his first NRL try in the Raiders 32-12 win at Canberra Stadium.[6] On 30 May 2012, Wighton suffered a toe injury in a freak trampoline accident which resulted in him missing most the year,[7] until he made a return in the semi-final match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Raiders 16-38 loss at ANZ Stadium.[8][9] On 22 August 2012, Wighton extended his contract with the Raiders until the end of the 2014 season.[10] Wighton finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 9 matches and scoring 2 tries.

2013

On 9 February 2013, Wighton was selected to play for the Indigenous All Stars off the interchange bench in the 32-6 win over the NRL All Stars team at Suncorp Stadium.[11] He was also selected to play for NSW Country at centre against NSW City in Country's 18-12 win in Coffs Harbour.[12] Wighton finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 18 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Raiders. On 1 November 2013 Wighton re-signed with the Raiders until the end of 2016.[13]

2014

Wighton was selected to play at five-eighth by incoming Raider coach Ricky Stuart,[14] but was selected at centre in the annual City vs Country Origin match.[15] In round 10, against the Penrith Panthers, Wighton returned to his preferred centre position in the Raiders 26-20 loss at Canberra Stadium.[16] Wighton played at centre until round 24, when he was selected to play at fullback for a clash with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He had a successful match, helping the Raiders to a 22-12 win at Remondis Stadium.[17] Wighton had a successful end of the season at fullback for the Raiders. He finished the 2014 NRL season having played in 20 matches and scored 6 tries. On 9 September 2014, Wighton was selected in the Australia Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations train-on squad but didn't make the final 24-man squad.[18]

2015

On 13 February, Wighton was selected on the interchange bench for the Indigenous All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match. The Indigenous side won 20-6 over the NRL All Stars.[19][20] On 3 May, he played for New South Wales Country against New South Wales City in the 2015 City vs Country Origin match, playing at centre and scoring a try in Country's 34-22 win at Wagga Wagga.[21] In round 25, against the Penrith Panthers, he was charged with a grade two careless high tackle after he blindsided Panthers halfback Jamie Soward, following a break downfield. The hit left Soward unconscious and he had to be assisted off the field on a stretcher.[22] He was later suspended for a match, missing out in the Raiders last match of the season.[23] He finished the 2015 season having played in 20 matches and scoring 7 tries. On 26 September, he played for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, scoring a try in the 40-12 win in Port Moresby.[24][25]

2016

On 13 January 2016, Wighton was named in the emerging New South Wales Blues squad.[26] On 13 February 2016, Wighton played for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars, playing off the interchange bench in the 12-8 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[27][28] On 8 May 2016, Wighton played for Country Origin against City Origin, where he played at fullback in the 44-30 loss in Tamworth.[29] On 8 September 2016, Wighton was very lucky to escape a 3-week suspension for a shoulder charge in which he did on Wests Tigers player Joel Edwards in Round 26 in the 52-10 thumping win at Leichhardt Oval.[30] The suspension could have ruled out Wighton from all the Raiders 3 finals matches and ended his season early.[31] Wighton finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing 26 matches and scoring 8 tries for the Raiders.

2017

On 10 February 2017, Wighton played for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars in the 2017 All Stars match, starting at fullback in the 34-8 win at Hunter Stadium.[32] In Round 7 against the New Zealand Warriors, Wighton played his 100th NRL career match in the 20-8 win at Canberra Stadium.[33][34] On 23 May 2017, Wighton extended his contract with the Raiders to the end of the 2020 season.[35] Wighton finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Raiders.

2018

On 28 June 2018, Wighton was stood down by Canberra after admitting in court to assault and urinating in public during a Canberra night out earlier in the year. Wighton pleaded guilty to six charges in the ACT Magistrates Court, including assault and public urination, while prosecutors dropped several of the other charges.[36] On 9 July, Wighton was suspended by Canberra for six matches but elected not to terminate his contract regardless of the outcome of the court case hearing.[37] On 13 July, The NRL who were unhappy with the suspension Canberra handed down to Wighton, added an additional four game ban to the player plus a monetary fine of $30,000.[38]

References

  1. ↑ "Jack Wighton". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/canberra-raiders/canberra-raiders-prop-junior-paulo-suspended-from-round-one-of-the-nrl-season-20170207-gu7fa1.html
  3. ↑ "NSW Under 18s - NSWRL Academy". Fox Sports Pulse. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  4. ↑ Debenham, Sam (2010-11-24). "Wighton helps schoolboys' side to winning start". Central Western Daily. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  5. ↑ Jon Tuxworth. "Wighton the centre of attention on the wing". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  6. ↑ "First Half Blitz Sets Up Raiders Victory Over Warriors in Canberra". Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  7. ↑ "Trampoline Bounces Raider Jack Wighton for Season". Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  8. ↑ http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8531843. Retrieved 7 April 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ "Rabbitohs Take On Raiders at ANZ Stadium in Second NRL Final". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  10. ↑ Otto, Tyson (2012-08-22). "Canberra Raiders youngster Jack Wighton signs contract extension". News.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  11. ↑ Burke, Dominic (2013-02-09). "REPLAY: Indigenous All Stars 32 d NRL All Stars 6 at Suncorp Stadium". News.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  12. ↑ "Country Overcome City in Close Clash". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  13. ↑ Jon Tuxworth (2013-11-01). "Jack Wighton re-signs with Canberra Raiders". Canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  14. ↑ Jon Tuxworth (2014-03-10). "Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has five-eighth plans for Jack Wighton". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  15. ↑ "Hulking Centre Jamal Idris Stars in Thrilling City/Country Draw in Dubbo". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  16. ↑ "Ricky Stuart Rant and Foul Language Mar Penrith Panthers 26-20 Win over Canberra Raiders". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  17. ↑ "Sharks Set for Wooden Spoon as Anthony Milford Magic Wins Canberra Raiders Basement Battle". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  18. ↑ Jon Tuxworth (2014-09-08). "Canberra Raiders quartet chosen in Australia's Four Nations train-on squad". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  19. ↑ "Jack Wighton Wins Selection in Indigenous All Stars". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  20. ↑ "Indigenous All Stars Have Beaten the NRL Stars 26-6". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  21. ↑ "Country overcome City in seesawing affair". NRL.com. 2015-05-03. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  22. ↑ "Jamie Howard Hospiltalised but Jack Wighton Cops a One Week Ban after Massive Collision". Foxpsorts.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  23. ↑ Lee Gaskin (2015-09-06). "NRL: The five key talking points from Canberra Raiders' win against Parramatta Eels". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  24. ↑ "Merrin to lead Prime Minister's XIII". NRL.com. 2015-09-15. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  25. ↑ Tom Decent. "Australian Prime Minister's XIII beat Papua New Guinea 40-12 in Port Moresby". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  26. ↑ "Daley names 2016 Emerging Blues".
  27. ↑ "Teams named for NRL All Stars match".
  28. ↑ Chris Garry (13 February 2016). "World All Stars defeat Indigenous All Stars 12-8 at Suncorp Stadium". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  29. ↑ Walter, Brad. "Country Origin v City Origin: Cartwright emerges as Origin contender in 44-30 City win" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
  30. ↑ https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-judiciary-jack-wighton-shoulder-charge-verdict/news-story/b9f3779940acc7b6bad99d47aa529169
  31. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-finals-2016-canberra-raiders-fullback-jack-wighton-found-not-guilty-at-nrl-judiciary-20160906-grab70.html
  32. ↑ https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/indigenous-all-stars-thump-world-all-stars-348-in-newcastle/news-story/a016f102b1c7ddc5bbdeeedb83a149c5
  33. ↑ https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/04/13/confusion-clouds-wightons-milestone/
  34. ↑ https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/04/15/leilua-helps-raiders-beat-warriors/
  35. ↑ https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/raiders/nrl-2017-canberra-raiders-resign-jack-wighton-until-the-end-of-2020/news-story/faa5818d530647e14571041ec9d8e15e
  36. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-28/jack-wighton-pleads-guilty-to-assault-charges/9918902
  37. ↑ http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/jack-wighton-canberra-raiders-nrl-court-case-suspension-assault/si7llv8lcxmh1bivzwcwfd6cs
  38. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/13/nrl-hands-jack-wighton-10-week-ban-after-assault-charge
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