Rabbitohs star Jack Wighton has been urged to step-up in the 2026 NRL season with suggestions the star failed to live up to his price tag last year. Wighton made the controversial move from the Raiders to South Sydney in 2024.
Wighton’s decision surprised fans with the former NSW Blues Origin star having played his whole career in Canberra. The Raiders also offered a $1 million deal a season deal to keep their playmaker. South Sydney offered Wighton the option to come and attempt to win a premiership alongside the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker on a four-year deal worth around $850,000 a season.
Rabbitohs star Jack Wighton (pictured second from left) has been urged to have a bigger impact in the 2026 after South Sydney brought him over on a four-year deal worth around $4.4 million. (Getty Images)
The Rabbitohs felt Wighton could be the missing piece of their puzzle with the idea he could play at centre or five-eighth. However, the Rabbitohs had a poor 2024 season, before they were devastated by injuries in 2025.
And this has resulted in Wighton struggling to find his feet. Having played at centre and filled in at five-eighth during his time at the Rabbitohs, Wighton is still looking for his best form in the red and green. Having only played 15 games for the Rabbitohs in 2025, Wighton will be looking to have a bigger impact alongside a number of stars who missed a chunk of the season.
And reporter Michael Carayannis feels Wighton needs to live up to his big price tag with two years left on his deal. Speaking on Monday morning, Carayannis suggested the former Canberra Raiders leader needs to find that X-factor again if the Rabbitohs are going to go to the next level.
“He’s been totally underwhelming,” Carayannis said on SEN Radio. “Wighton came to the club on big money and he was supposed to be the tipping point for them.
“He was supposed to get them that premiership during their premiership window. He was supposed to be that injection. The reason why the Rabbitohs haven’t played finals (the last two seasons) isn’t because of Jack Wighton. The Rabbitohs haven’t got bang for their buck though and there’s no doubt about that. He’s played at centre, he’s on really good money and he hasn’t had the same impact on games that he had at Canberra.”
Jack Wighton (pictured) has been urged to step-up in 2026 after the Rabbitohs have struggled across the last two seasons.
(Mark Nolan via Getty Images)Can South Sydney Rabbitohs return to top eight?
Carayannis feels the Rabbitohs have a top eight side in the squad if all the players can remain fit in 2026. Cameron Murray claimed the side are finding stability in pre-season after a rough campaign, which saw their captain only return from injury in round 27.
Mitchell only played 11 games in 2025, while Walker also only played 11 games. Coach Bennett has also called in reinforcements. David Fifita signed with the Rabbitohs and is looking to be already making an impact in pre-season. There are suggestions Mitchell will move to centre to start the season to allow Jye Gray to wear the No.1 jersey.
This would see Fifita link up with Mitchell on the left edge. And Carayannis feels the players need to remain on the field in 2026 if they have any chance of playing finals footy. “I’ve got them finishing in eighth,” Carayannis added.
“I’ll preface that by saying (their players) need to play. If they have the same injury run that they did last season, they’ll finish towards the bottom of the ladder again.”
Cameron Murray (pictured left) will return as captain for the Rabbitohs in 2026.
(Brett Hemmings via Getty Images)