With Cody Walker a mainstay in the Rabbitohs’ No.6 jersey, rugby league legend Phil Gould expects South Sydney to transform high-profile recruit Jack Wighton into a back-rower.
Wighton is unavailable to make his debut for the club until round three because of suspension but his signing with the Rabbitohs has been highly touted.
In previewing South Sydney’s 2024 season, Gould anticipated Wighton to try something different after 12 seasons with Canberra, including a Dally M honour at five-eighth.
“I’ll be really interested to see how Jack Wighton’s career, at the back-end of his career, how it evolves,” he told Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“I know they’ve said they’ve brought him as a left-centre but I wouldn’t be surprised if he morphs into a lock-forward or even a back-rower at some stage between now and his retirement age.”
The Rabbitohs have a tough start to the season with a stripped backline.
“Jack Wighton is a massive buy for them,” Gould said.
“I’m just wondering whether they can afford, as they say, to play him in the centres.
“I think he’s going to need to be closer to the action.”
He continued: “If they can afford to keep playing Jack Wighton in the centres, well then everyone must be doing their job and going well”.
“I’ve just got a feeling that before his career is over, Jack Wighton will be developing into a left-side back-row forward or lock forward.
“I think he’ll be closer to the action, particularly in club football — not so much rep football.
“Rep football he is a perfect left-centre but in club football, they are going to need him closer to the action at some stage.”