Wighton signing no distraction for Brisbane-bound Bunnies

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou was "excited" to get the signing of Jack Wighton over the line, but was more focused on getting the most from his current crop of players in the lead-up to their top-of-the-table match against Brisbane tomorrow night. 

The Canberra Raiders star confirmed his move to South Sydney on a four-year deal yesterday after weeks of speculation.

“(I’m) excited to get it over the line,” Demetriou said. “I know it was a tough decision for Jack and I could feel that when we were talking to him.

“Our conversations with Jack were about understanding that his whole family joins us at the Rabbitohs. That’s what it’ll be in 2024.

“Jack is a competitor from what I understand and listening to some of his teammates in representative footy.

“I’m really excited to have him here. We’ll get on with 2023 now – that’s our main focus – and we look forward to bringing Jack in in 2024.

“I’m very conscious that Jack has a contract with Canberra … he loves representing the club and loves playing with his mates.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll be ripping in for Ricky (Stuart) and the Raiders; hopefully they can have a good season and Jack can leave on good terms.”

When Wighton does show up for his first training session as a Rabbitoh, there will be no shortage of familiar faces, having played at a representative level alongside many of the players for Australia, New South Wales and in the Indigenous All Stars teams.

“He’s got a lot of friendships here. Latrell’s (Mitchell) obviously a big one, but he’s good mates with Cody (Walker), good friends and been in a lot of representative footy with Cameron Murray as well, Damien Cook,” Demetriou said.

“There’s plenty of connections in that and that makes a big difference to players when they join clubs.”

Although his move was one of the bigger talking points in the rugby league world this week, Demetriou said it had not been a distraction for the players who were working hard on their preparations.

In a boost for the club, forward Tevita Tatola has been named to return from a knee injury, and will be a key player in overcoming Brisbane’s forward pack.

“They’re really excited to go to Brisbane this week. We’ve started to build some form, but we know the next two games in Brisbane are big games,” Demetriou said.