Stephen Crichton is ready to play Origin, even if that means coming from the bench to do so – and that he doesn’t quite get the reaction to coach Brad Fittler’s decision to start Jack Wighton ahead of him in the centres.
Fittler’s decision to play Crichton as a utility and Wighton, who wore the 14 jumper last year, as a centre was met with widespread unease in the media and among fans, but Crichton backed himself to star off the bench, and his teammate to go well from the start.
The Panthers star told The Roar that people have forgotten how he first made grade from the bench, and starred in that role in the past because of his utility value.
“My first two years I was 14 coming off the bench, coming on in the second half at fullback,” he said.
“So I’ve done that job before, it doesn’t change the prep. I turn up and train the same as if I was starting, I train and prep the same.”
Crichton featured as a utility in four of his first seven NRL games before Covid struck, wearing the 14 for rounds one and two of 2020 before graduating to a starting berth once the season restarted.
He was played around a third of his NRL appearances in positions other than centre, split between wing – where he was in the 2021 Grand Final – and fullback.
Furthermore, Jack Wighton has played extensively as a centre and was mostly an outside back for the first 50 games of his NRL career before transitioning to fullback and latterly five eighth.
Brad Fittler defended the call earlier in the week, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that he didn’t want to debut two new centres at once, with Kotoni Staggs making his bow on the other side.
“Bringing new people into the group is always a positive and an enlightening thing to do, but you need to put them around people who have been there before,” said the coach.
“I think it would have been risky. Jack had a couple of weeks off (after a ban) and he looks really fresh. His last two games have really helped me with the decision.
“Jack actually looks fast again. He’s always tough and willing. It’s hard to work out what position is his best, be it five-eighth, centre or fullback, but he’s just so wholehearted.
Jack Wighton of the Blues scores a try during game three of the 2021 State of Origin Series. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“Stephen will come off the bench. Him and Brian To’o have been playing on the right side for Penrith, but they have both played on the left as well. I’ve got a plan for Stephen.”
Crichton backed his teammate and said that he was ready to go when called upon.
“Jack is a gun player and that’s why he’s in the team,” said Crichton. “Coach has been watching footy all year, he’s seen the boys’ strengths and he’s seen something in me as well. He’s got a plan and I’ll do my best when I come on.
“All these players are here for a reason. I’m keen to see them kill it. I don’t really look at the media and I don’t care what outside people say.
“The only advice that I take is from my teammates and the coaching staff. While I’m in the team I’ll do my job for the team and play my hardest as well.”
The other utility, Nicho Hynes, has been listed as 18th man and revealed that he has trained in every position in preparation for being called upon in case of a concussion.
“It’s a different one,” he said of preparing to feature in one of several potential roles. “I prepare the best I can, fitting in here and there and preparing the boys so they can be ready for Wednesday night.
“I do a bit in the halves, but hooker, fullback and wherever they need me. They’ll have a little plan for what I do.”
Hynes said that the core focus in Origin camp was getting everyone on the same page quickly, which was aided by continuity from year-to-year, and by having so many Panthers players in the New South Wales team.
“You can do all the plays that you want, but Origin is more of a tuck it up, run hard and get the fast play the balls,” said the Sharks halfback.
“This core group has been together for the last couple of years so it makes it a bit easier each year. It makes it easier to know the plays – the game doesn’t get easier, but the training would. It’s a bit simpler.”
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