Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says it’s time for his club to match the consistency of five-eighth Jack Wighton and put him on their shoulders.
Stuart says the Raiders must lift for star playmaker Wighton in a must-win clash with St George Illawarra.
Wighton, who became the club’s first Dally M medallist in 25 years last season, has shouldered the load through 2021 as injuries and inconsistency have ravaged the Raiders.
On the eve of their showdown with the Dragons, Stuart said the playing group now has to return the favour.
“We’ve been very inconsistent all season and it makes it very hard for Jack,” he said on Thursday.
“We’re all very happy to put Jack on our shoulders when he’s taking the game on and winning the game, it’s now our turn to load up for Jack to play well and to help him.
“We’ve got to go out there and play well for him now and just let him fall into our show of good form.”
Earlier this week fellow Origin representative Josh Papalii conceded it’s do-or-die for the club after a disappointing 34-24 loss to Newcastle.
Stuart cited the physicality of the contest as the difference when his side failed to build upon their three-game win streak heading into Round 20 but said injuries hadn’t helped.
“People don’t understand and realise, I think we’ve used our fifth fullback now (and) we’ve had a change-up around the nine and in our halves, (this year)” he said.
“There’s been some critical change through injury, departure in our club’s spine this year, which just doesn’t help the flow of your attack or the flow of opportunity for individuals.
“Without making excuses, that just doesn’t help.
“We’ve been very inconsistent as a team this season and we need to find consistency very, very quickly because we’re running out of time.”
Taree Raider
Guest
Ricky, Ricky, Ricky. You were a world class halfback, you appear to be a reasonable coach, except for coaching the 7 & 6 positions. Your love of Jack Wighton is to a fault, he has great potential but is one of the most error prone players in the NRL. His kicking game is erratic, if it stays in play as a fan I'm excited. If Jack Wighton was a 'world class' 5/8 he would put in 100% each & every week, Thurston like. Jack would be a great player at the Melbourne Storm, where there are consistent & simple standards expected every game. There are no favourites. With Ricky, he has favourites & he is loyal to them to a fault. If Ricky showed some tuff love & made Jack perform consistently every minute of every game, Jack would achieve his potential. As a fan, I'm sick to death of excuses for poor performance, you either give your all or you are replaced. No excuses, no 'favouritism'. However past behaviour is a good indication of future behaviour. Ricky will never change, Jack will never reach his potential. While I'm on my soapbox, the story 'Ricky'. It's a shame that it forgot to mention the Roosters sacked him, the Sharks sacked him, the Eels were abandoned by him & he was sacked as the Australian Rugby League Coach for abusing the match Referee. But I suppose if that would have been in the documentary what would it have been called?
Cam
Roar Rookie
For a Dally M winner not to poll a single vote in the first 16 rounds certainly shines a light on his form. And Sticky should be going into bat for Wighton, I reckon the coach is at the core of Jack's poor form. He has built his recent career on being a big-bodied running 5/8, but has been asked to take on the kicking and ball-playing roles after the club axed George Williams. If the Raiders can sign a decent half, Wighton might be able to revert back to his skill-set.