The Canberra Raiders have named rookie Jack Wighton in the wing for potentially his debut match this weekend against the Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park.
Wighton will need to have his Grade two dangerous throw downgraded at the Toyota Cup judiciary on Wednesday night. Wighton will plead guilty to the charge but will dispute the grading. If he’s successful he’ll make his NRL debut on Saturday night.
The other change for the Raiders is Tom Learoyd-Lahrs who will miss the match with a re-occurrence of a foot injury, with Trevor Thurling coming into the 17 on the bench. Brett White will move from the interchange to take Learoyd-Lahrs starting prop position.
Learoyd-Lahrs is only expected to miss one week and should be available against the Roosters next weekend.
Raiders Coach David Furner said the changes due to injury were not ideal, however he said the team was confident with the players coming into the side.
“Trevor Thurling has fully recovered from the Achilles injury he sustained at the end of last season and he was very solid for us in both trials,” Furner said.
“Jack Wighton will hopefully get an opportunity to make his NRL debut this weekend and that would be an exciting thing for him and the team. We are contesting the grading of his charge at the judiciary and we’re confident we can get it downgraded so he won’t miss out.”
| RAIDERS NRL TEAM LIST |
1. Josh DUGAN
2. Blake FERGUSON
3. Jarrod CROKER
4. Shaun BERRIGAN
5. Jack WIGHTON
6. Terry CAMPESE (c)
7. Josh McCRONE
8. David SHILLINGTON (vc)
9. Travis WADDELL
10. Brett WHITE (vc)
11. Josh PAPALII
12. Bronson HARRISON
13. Shaun FENSOM
Interchange:
14. Glen BUTTRISS
15. Joel THOMPSON
16. Dane TILSE
17. Trevor THURLING
Coach: David Furner
| NRL INJURIES |
Reece ROBINSON (Cheekbone) Rd 6
Tom LEAROYD-LAHRS (Foot) Rd 3
Paul VAUGHAN (Knee) Rd 4
Drury LOW (Hamstring) Rd 3
