Canberra halfback Sam Williams has had the best seat in the house during Jack Wighton's stellar transition to five-eighth this season and believes the former fullback should be picked for NSW.
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Half and five eighth are arguably the most hotly-contested positions in the Blues side and a third playmaker will likely also sit on the bench as a utility.
The contenders are incumbents and Penrith pair Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, South Sydney's dynamic duo Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds, Sydney Roosters gun Luke Keary, Newcastle veteran Mitchell Pearce and Wighton.
Walker and Wighton are the only two without Origin experience and their most realistic chance to debut against Queensland in the series opener on June 5 will be off the bench.
Williams says if Wighton wins selection it will cap a spectacular turnaround for the 26-year-old who copped a 10-game ban following an off-field assault charge last season.
"He's been brilliant, Jacko. He's got good instincts, is aggressive, a brilliant ball runner and he's really made that six jersey his own," Williams said.
"There's no doubt if they were to call upon Jacko that he wouldn't let anyone down.
"Jacko can play every position in the back line and then in the forwards at a pinch. There's not many players that can do that so he's got to be in the frame.
"If he can get a sky blue jersey it will be brilliant for him. He showed a lot of maturity this year the way he's come back from last year and we'd all love to see him in a Blues jersey."
Canberra host North Queensland on Saturday in what marks Wighton's final chance to impress NSW coach Brad Fittler before he announces his squad on Sunday night.
Australian Associated Press
