Jack Wighton
Jack Wighton | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 4, 1993 Orange, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Professional rugby league footballer |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | Rugby league player for South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders, Clive Churchill Medal winner, Dally M Medal winner |
Jack Wighton (born 4 February 1993) is an Australian professional rugby league player currently occupying the position of for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League (NRL). He also represents the Indigenous All Stars team.
Earlier in his career, Wighton was a member of the Canberra Raiders, where he earned the Clive Churchill Medal during the 2019 NRL Grand Final playing as a . On the international stage, he featured for Australia as a in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup Final. Within the State of Origin series, he has appeared for New South Wales in multiple roles including bench utility, , and . Additionally, he has represented the Prime Minister's XIII as a and played for Country Origin as both a and .
Wighton began his NRL journey primarily as a er before evolving into roles such as , , and . His performance as a for Canberra was recognized with the prestigious 2020 Dally M Medal.
Background
Born in Orange, New South Wales, Australia, Wighton is of Wiradjuri descent on his mother's side, with family connections tracing back to Peak Hill (Bulgandramine Mission) and Wellington in New South Wales. He shares familial ties with notable rugby league athletes including Brent Naden, Willie Tonga, and Latrell Mitchell.
His junior football career involved playing for Orange CYMS and Bloomfield Tigers before being recruited by the Canberra Raiders. Wighton also spent time with the Werribee Centrals Football Club reserves. Prior to turning professional, he worked as a brickie's labourer.
Early career
In 2010, Wighton represented NSW Under 18s and was selected for the Australian Schoolboys team. He competed with the Raiders' squad in the NYC during 2011 before advancing to their senior NRL roster.
2012
Wighton debuted in Round 2 of the 2012 NRL season for the Canberra Raiders facing off against the Gold Coast Titans, contributing to a 24–12 victory at Robina Stadium. He recorded his first try in Round 6 during a 32–12 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium.
A toe injury sustained from a trampoline incident on 30 May 2012 caused him to miss much of that season, though he returned in time for the semi-final defeat against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. On 22 August, he secured an extension to his contract with Canberra through to 2014. Wighton completed his debut year with nine appearances and two tries.
2013
On 9 February 2013, Wighton came off the bench representing the Indigenous All Stars in their commanding 32–6 triumph over the NRL All Stars team at Suncorp Stadium. He also played at centre for NSW Country in their narrow 18–12 win against NSW City held in Coffs Harbour. Throughout the 2013 NRL season, Wighton appeared in 18 games and scored four tries for Canberra. On 1 November, he recommitted to the Raiders by signing a contract extension through to the conclusion of 2016.
2014
Under the guidance of new head coach Ricky Stuart, Wighton commenced the season playing at five-eighth. On 4 May, he lined up at centre for NSW Country in a 26-26 draw against NSW City. By Round 10, he had shifted back to centre during a 26–20 defeat to the Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium. He maintained his position at centre until Round 24, when he transitioned to fullback for a crucial victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Shark Park. Wighton concluded the 2014 NRL season with 20 games played and six tries scored. On 9 September, he was included in the Australia Kangaroos train-on squad for the Four Nations, although he did not make the final 24-man team.
2015
On 13 February 2015, Wighton was named on the interchange bench for the Indigenous All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match, where his team secured a 20–6 victory over the NRL All Stars at Robina Stadium. On 3 May, he represented New South Wales Country against New South Wales City in the 2015 City vs Country Origin match, crossing for a try in Country's 34–22 triumph at Wagga Wagga.
During Round 25 against the Penrith Panthers, Wighton faced a grade two careless high tackle charge after delivering a hit on Panthers halfback Jamie Soward, which resulted in Soward being stretchered off during Canberra's 34–18 win at Canberra Stadium. He received a one-match suspension and consequently missed Canberra’s final game of the season.
Wighton wrapped up the 2015 NRL season having played 20 matches and scoring seven tries for Canberra. On 26 September, he featured for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, contributing a try in their 40–12 win in Port Moresby.
2016
On 13 January 2016, Wighton was named in the emerging New South Wales Blues squad. He took part in the Indigenous All Stars team on 13 February, coming off the interchange bench during their 12–8 loss to the World All Stars at Suncorp Stadium. On 8 May, Wighton appeared at fullback for Country Origin in a 44–30 defeat to City Origin held in Tamworth. Later that year, on 8 September, he narrowly avoided a three-week suspension for a shoulder charge on Wests Tigers player Joel Edwards during Round 26—a penalty that would have prematurely ended his season and ruled him out of all Raiders finals matches. Wighton completed the 2016 NRL season with participation in 26 games and eight tries scored.
2017
On 10 February 2017, Wighton started at fullback for the Indigenous All Stars in their commanding 34–8 victory over the World All Stars at Hunter Stadium. In Round 7 against the New Zealand Warriors, he marked his milestone of playing his 100th NRL career game during Canberra’s 20–8 win at Canberra Stadium. On 23 May, Wighton extended his contract with Canberra through to the conclusion of the 2020 season. He finished the year having played in 23 matches and scored seven tries.
2018
On 28 June 2018, Canberra stood Wighton down following his court admission to assault and public urination incidents from earlier that year. Subsequently, on 9 July, Canberra imposed a six-match suspension while retaining his contract pending legal proceedings. The NRL later increased this suspension to ten matches on 13 July, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season and issuing a $30,000 fine. Despite these events, Wighton avoided incarceration.
He ended the 2018 NRL season with thirteen appearances and three tries to his name.
2019
During round 5 of the 2019 NRL season against the Parramatta Eels, Wighton scored a try that secured Canberra's fourth victory, further establishing his position as five-eighth.
On 5 June, Wighton made his debut for New South Wales coming off the bench in game 1 of the 2019 State of Origin series. Later in the match, while playing five-eighth, he threw an intercepted pass that led to a try by Dane Gagai; New South Wales ultimately lost 18–14.
Unexpectedly, on 16 June, Wighton was chosen to start at centre, replacing Latrell Mitchell for game 2 in Perth, playing a key role in New South Wales' commanding 38–6 win.
In the Origin decider on 10 July, Wighton started at left centre and contributed to New South Wales' 26–20 triumph at ANZ Stadium.
Wighton celebrated his 150th NRL appearance in round 22 during an 18–22 victory over the Melbourne Storm. He participated in 26 matches as Canberra advanced to their first grand final in a quarter-century. In the 2019 NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters, he scored a try in the first half. Although Canberra fell short with a 14–8 defeat, Wighton was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match—the fourth player to receive this honor despite being on the losing side.
On 7 October, Wighton was selected for Australia's squad for the forthcoming Oceania Cup fixtures.
2020
In round 16 of the 2020 NRL season, Wighton crossed for two tries during Canberra’s 34–20 win over Canterbury-Bankstown at GIO Stadium. He repeated this feat in round 18 against St. George, scoring twice as Canberra secured a 37–8 victory at WIN Stadium.
Wighton shared the Meninga Medal with Josh Papalii as Canberra’s player of the year following a strong regular season. Additionally, he earned the Dally M Medal as the NRL’s best player with a total of 26 votes, narrowly surpassing Clint Gutherson and Nathan Cleary. The award announcement was overshadowed by controversy due to an early leak of results before the official ceremony.
Selected for the 2020 State of Origin series, Wighton featured in all three matches for New South Wales, albeit out of his usual position while deployed in the centres under coach Brad Fittler. New South Wales lost the series 2–1 to Queensland.
2021
In round 10 of the 2021 NRL season, Wighton received a sin-bin penalty for an illegal cannonball tackle during Canberra’s narrow 20–18 win over Canterbury. Despite fluctuating club form, he was chosen for game one of the 2021 State of Origin series.
Wighton played in 21 games throughout a disappointing season for Canberra, which concluded with the team finishing tenth on the ladder.
2022
On 29 May, Wighton was named in New South Wales’ squad for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. Later in October, he was included in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. He participated in Australia’s final win against Samoa.
2023
On 5 February, Wighton became involved in an alleged altercation with South Sydney teammate and player Latrell Mitchell in Canberra’s central business district. ACT Police charged him with fighting in a public place and failing to comply with an exclusion direction. Wighton pleaded not guilty; proceedings were adjourned until 30 October 2023.
In round 4 of the 2023 NRL season, Wighton scored a try but was sin-binned during Canberra’s 24–14 defeat by Newcastle. On 18 April, he announced his retirement from representative rugby league. Shortly after, on 26 April, he signed a four-year contract with South Sydney commencing in 2024.
Wighton’s final appearance for Canberra came in their extra-time elimination final loss to the Newcastle Knights, ending 28-30. During this match, he was placed on report for an alleged bite on Tyson Gamble but was not penalised on-field. Subsequently, Wighton was found guilty and received a three-match suspension.
2024
During the third round of the 2024 NRL season, Wighton made his first appearance for South Sydney in a heavy 48-6 defeat against their rivals, the Sydney Roosters. The next week, he contributed two tries to help South Sydney secure a 20-16 victory over Canterbury. In round 18, Wighton once more crossed the try line twice as South Sydney defeated the Parramatta team 32-16. Throughout his inaugural season with South Sydney, he participated in 21 matches, with the club finishing second from the bottom on the league ladder.
2025
On 29 July, following a report during South Sydney’s close 14-12 loss to Cronulla in round 21 of the 2025 NRL season, Wighton was handed a suspension lasting four matches.
Honours
Individual
- Dally M Medal: 2020
- Clive Churchill Medal: 2019
- Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year: 2020
Canberra Raiders
- NRL Premiership Runner-Up: 2019
NSW Blues
- State of Origin Series: 2019, 2021
Australia
- Rugby League World Cup Champion: 2021
Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Template:Leagueicon Canberra Raiders | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2013 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | |
| 2014 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | |
| 2015 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 | |
| 2016 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 | |
| 2017 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 | |
| 2018 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| 2019 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 36 | |
| 2020 | 22 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 52 | |
| 2021 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | |
| 2022 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | |
| 2023 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 | |
| 2024 | Template:Leagueicon South Sydney Rabbitohs | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| Career Totals | 270 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 336 |
Assault charges
In February of 2018, Wighton was involved in an incident outside a Canberra nightclub during his birthday celebration where he assaulted five individuals. He faced several charges including assault and public urination. Initially entering a plea of not guilty, he later accepted responsibility for six charges in the ACT Magistrates Court after prosecutors introduced CCTV footage as evidence. The Raiders responded by suspending him for six games while maintaining his contract. The NRL extended this suspension for the remainder of the season and imposed a $30,000 fine. On November 14, Wighton was sentenced to a two-month suspended sentence and fined $3,500; the magistrate noted his positive character references alongside prior disciplinary measures by the NRL. After sentencing, video footage depicting Wighton's unprovoked attacks was made public.