NSW utility Jack Wighton wants another chance to put things right but won’t ditch his gambler’s instincts after throwing a match-turning intercept in Origin I.
The Canberra star cut a forlorn figure in a reasonably upbeat NSW dressing-room after the game, won 18-14 by Queensland, and admitted he’s love to have that pass all over again.
With the game locked at 8-all in the 67th minute, Wighton attempted to put Josh Addo-Carr away in the corner after beating Will Chambers on the outside.
It all came unstuck when Queensland Origin specialist Dane Gagai swooped on the pass and raced 90m to break the deadlock.
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It proved the telling moment in a tense and closely fought contest and Wighton’s pain was tangible as social media types began launching into him.
“I just couldn’t get it into Addo-Carr’s hands. It’s definitely one I should have held but I thought I was doing the right thing,” the Blues debutant told Sporting News.
“I saw Gagai’s body linger and thought I had Chambers beat. He read it well and took off last second.
“It was shattering. I went for the big play and backed my instincts and I’ve got to live with that.
“But I always back my instincts.”
Wighton now faces an anxious wait to see if he is retained for game two in Perth on June 23.
It will be one of a number of position coach Brad Fittler will review in the coming days, with plenty of heat to be directed at five-eighth Cody Walker.
Walker was off the field, replaced with Wighton by Fittler, when the intercept pass was thrown.
“I just want to try to make things better and go again,” Wighton said.“It was a great experience and everything I expected and more and I’d Iove to do it again.
“That’s all I want now – some redemption for me and the boys in Perth.”