Rising Sea Eagles fear big Raider

CURTIS Sironen has overcome a knee injury to be fit for Manly on Sunday, but knows a far tougher test awaits in the form of Jack Wighton against Canberra in Campbelltown.

Sironen missed the Sea Eagles’ win against Brisbane last Thursday after jarring his knee in the previous week’s loss to the Eels. He has trained without incident this week, well aware of the challenge ahead.

Sironen forms a key part of the best rightedge defence in the competition, with Manly letting in only four tries this year – the best in the NRL.

But Wighton awaits on their edge this week, with Sironen declaring him as one of the form players of the NRL.

The Raiders’ five-eighth (pictured) scored tries in each of their past two matches, turning the contest against Wests Tigers when he took the line on to score.

“He’s almost the form player in the comp,” Sironen said.

“Even how he started the season – in the first game it was first touch, try.

“He played really well for the Blues last year and has continued to improve. He’s ... respected across the game as one of the best players and he shows it every week.”

Only a year into his switch to No.6, Wighton has quickly developed into one of the best running halves in the NRL.

His ability to take the line on without fear is what has made him the most dangerous, running through defenders for three of his four tries this year.

“He’s a big athlete, Jack,” Sironen said. “He is aggressive and takes you on physically ... you have to do your homework and turn up ready to put your body on the line or he can make you pay.”