Jack Wighton is still learning the craft and is yet to lock down Canberra's fullback jersey, but new Raiders winger Sisa Waqa believes Wighton is capable of replacing Waqa's former Melbourne Storm teammate Billy Slater as Australia's no.1.
Waqa played four years with Slater and will make his Raiders debut at Cronulla on Sunday, but has seen enough from Wighton to back him as a future Kangaroo.
"He's very skillful and he might be the next Australian fullback, who knows one day?" Waqa said.
"Jack's got the ability and skills that every fullback these days has, it's a matter of him taking it on board and working hard.
"I'm excited to play alongside Jack, everyone knows the ability he has."
Waqa established himself finishing off moves crafted by Melbourne superstars Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk but a much stiffer challenge awaits at Canberra.
The Raiders will take a completely different spine into 2015 with Wighton down back, Mitch Cornish and Blake Austin in the halves and Englishman Josh Hodgson at hooker.
"It's a massive challenge, it's going to take a lot of responsibility from the boys," Waqa said.
"I was in Melbourne with Billy, Coops and Smith for a while, the thing I always admired about those boys is their work rate at training.
"I know our guys are young, it will take hard work and ownership."
Melbourne may have the "big three" but the Raiders have put the onus on their new look and beefed-up back three to churn through more work this year.
Waqa, Wighton and Jordan Rapana, plus centre Edrick Lee are all blessed with power and size and the Raiders plan on taking full toll.
"I don't think it's more of a focus, we haven't done it to the best of our ability and it's something we're going to take into this year," Wighton said.
Mounties coach Steve Antonelli has virtually been an extra first grade assistant over summer and has been charged with helping in that area.
"They call it the pendulum system where everyone sweeps back helping each other," Antonelli said.
"I looked at a couple of other clubs who are really strong at it, and we're trying to bring it into our game.
"We've improved it by leaps and bounds. We've got a big back three and back five, we're going to use it to our advantage."
Wighton's preparation has been overhauled dramatically as he works towards building the motor needed for fullback's extra workload.
"It's been a totally different pre-season for me with a new position, a lot more kilometres and learning all the little stuff at fullback," he said.
"I can't wait to play with Sisa, he's a big powerhouse and a great communicator."
