Paul Gallen calls on NRL star Jack Wighton to give real reason for State of Origin retirement shock

Canberra Raiders star Jack Wighton’s shock decision to retire from representative footy aged just 30 has sparked intense speculation as former NSW captain Paul Gallen calls on him to reveal the real reason behind his call.

Wighton, who is currently off contract for next season, officially ruled himself out of this year’s State of Origin series via a phone call to NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler just six weeks out from the first Origin in Adelaide. 

Wighton played seven Tests for Australia and 10 State of Origin games for NSW in multiple positions, and NSW advisor Greg Alexander has described his retirement as a ‘blow’ ahead of this year’s series. 

Alexander confirmed that NSW coach Brad Fittler spoke to Wighton on Sunday, and the player’s reason for his retirement was to ‘focus on club and family’.

Former New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen wants the Raiders star to explain the real reasons behind his shock decision to retire

Writing for Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports, Gallen acknowledged that players had retired from representative duties in the past, but at Wighton’s age, it was certainly rare.

‘I have to admit I was surprised when someone told me Jack Wighton was retiring from representative football,’ he wrote.

‘I’d be keen to hear the real story from Wighton himself, but if it’s true it is definitely unusual. 

‘I can remember one other New South Wales player doing it in my time, and that was champion centre Jamie Lyon.

‘I myself retired from State of Origin duties before my NRL career had finished, but I was much older than Wighton is now.

‘So was Cameron Smith when he told Queensland coach Kevin Walters not to pick him ahead of the 2018 series. He was 35 years old and already had 42 Origin games under his belt.’

Wighton (right) and Latrell Mitchell are great mates but may have been competing for the same place in the Blues side in 2023

The 30-year-old played for Australia in its winning Rugby League World Cup run and was one of the Kangaroos’ best 

Gallen praised Wighton as a rare player with an intimidation factor, a tough body for a back, and an all-rounder with excellent skills.

‘Jack has never let the Blues down once in his 10 games at that level. You could chuck him anywhere on the field and he would do a job for you, and do it well,’ he wrote.

‘He is very tough, he’s a big body for a back, he’s fast and has all the skills.

‘He also has that intimidation factor that not many players have. Guys like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves possess it, but Wighton might be the only outside back who can intimidate the opposition.’

Wighton said his decision to stand down from representative football was for family reasons

The Canberra Raiders star is off-contract for next year and the Dolphins could be set to offer him a massive deal

Wighton’s decision comes as a surprise to many, especially given his remarkable form for the Raiders. 

His decision has also led to speculation about who will replace him in the NSW Blues team. 

While Alexander said that Wighton would be difficult to replace, he added that the returns of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic after missing last year’s series were a plus. 

Alexander also stated that Wighton’s impact was not just limited to the centre position but his great utility value.