Canberra coach Ricky Stuart claims Jack Wighton is better placed to tackle the move to centre in State of Origin than ever before after a year of off-field growth and on-field challenges.

Wighton will return to the centres for NSW on Wednesday night, the first time at any level since the 2020 Origin series, having played only at five-eighth for the Raiders since.

The Orange junior will act as another kick option outside of Jarome Luai in NSW’s attack, with his big body also set to be an advantage when he takes the line on.

But defence looms as the biggest challenge for the 29-year-old, who endured a tough opening game in the centres two years ago against Dane Gagai.

“From an attacking point of view, it won’t be a problem,” Stuart said. 

“But from a defensive detail he just needs to (have) put a lot of repetition in at training.

“And Freddy (Fittler) will know that. He has picked Jack there for a reason, and Jack loves a coach that trusts him.”

Two things give Stuart confidence his star player can make the switch.

The first is the way Wighton has adapted in the past 12 months at Canberra, with the Raiders cycling through several players in key positions.

“He has been in the most consistent form of his career … playing without (consistency around him in the spine) since round seven last year,” Stuart said.

“Jack had five fullbacks last year. 

“If you go back and look at the different combinations I have had to use in the last 26 matches, no-one can perform to their maximum with those types of chances and disturbances at the ruck. 

“It’s too hard. 

“Yet this year he has been one of our most consistent performers.”

The other key factor is the way Stuart has seen Wighton develop off the field, having also spent time with him in the coaching box last month during a suspension.

“We use a lot of buzz words at time, leadership and maturity,” Stuart said.

“Jack has had more growth as a football player and a person in the last six months than the last nine years I have had him.

“His growth as a person this year – which we have all put a lot of work into – has been a massive, massive assistance to his game.”

Stuart himself has been recognised in Blues camp, inducted into the NSW hall of fame last week, he dedicated the honour to the late Bob Fulton.