State of Origin 2021: Jarrod Wallace states his case for recall to Queensland Maroons
Titans prop Jarrod Wallace is keen for another shot at Origin and insists he’s a much better player than when he first wore a Queensland jersey.
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In-form Gold Coast Titans prop Jarrod Wallace has appealed for a second chance at State of Origin, insisting he is a much better player than when he first donned a Queensland jersey.
Wallace will make his final audition for a Maroons recall when he faces Manly’s star middles Jake Trbojevic and Martin Taupau at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
Queensland coach Paul Green and his selection panel will meet after the Titans game to pick a team for Sunday week’s second game of the Origin series at Suncorp Stadium.
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After being thrashed 50-6 by the NSW Blues in Townsville last week, Green is contemplating making changes as he searches for a way to keep the series alive.
The Maroons were monstered in the midfield battle before being blown apart out wide by the brilliance of Blues centres Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic.
Wallace, 29, played six Origin games for Queensland from 2017-19, but was dropped after the Maroons’ 38-6 loss in Game Two of the 2019 series and hasn’t been selected since.
But with 166 NRL games under his belt and solid form in 2021, particularly over the past month, Wallace said he was ready for an Origin recall after being disappointed by his Game One snubbing.
“You’re always disappointed (to miss out), but I don’t know if I’m even in contention with Greeny’s team anymore,” he said.
“I haven’t spoken to Greeny since I played for him in a Queensland Residents camp in 2012. I don’t know what his thoughts are.
“You always get a little bit disappointed when you’re playing good footy and don’t get picked. Everyone wants to play for Queensland.
“He’s obviously got some big decisions to make and I’m ready to go if he wants to give me the call. I would love to get back in there and play for Queensland.
“I’m in a lot better position than I was a couple of years ago. I’ve got a different mindset and am a lot fitter. I’d love to get a chance again.”
Wallace made his Maroons debut in 2017, the year he joined the Titans after playing mostly off the bench for the Brisbane Broncos from 2012-16.
He admits he didn’t handle Origin like he did the NRL, but believes he is a more experienced and battle-hardened player now than his last Queensland appearance in 2019 when the Titans were headed for the wooden spoon.
“I came in for Game Two (2019) and was lacking a bit of confidence given the way we were playing back then,” Wallace said.
“I’m a lot fitter this year and more confident in myself and my ability. I’m in a lot better position to be playing Origin now than I was. In 2017 I was so confident in myself and my ability. The last time I played I was doubting myself.
“Now I completely believe in myself again. I am fit, confident and not injured. I’d love to get that chance to prove myself again and get back into that team.
“Everyone wants to play for Queensland and I am definitely ready to get back in there.”
The Titans will have Queensland forwards Moeaki Fotuaika, Tino Fa’asuamaleui and David Fifita on board to face the sixth-placed Sea Eagles.
There is still doubt over the availability of fullback AJ Brimson (knee), who will be given until Saturday to prove his fitness in what could have ramifications for the Maroons.
The 12th-placed Titans (5-9) have suffered nail-biting losses to the Storm and Roosters over the past two weeks and Wallace said they had to start winning if they wanted to play finals this year.
“It does really hurt because the effort is there,” he said.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve done the last two weeks, but to be up there with the good teams we need to do that every week consistently.
“There is still so much room for us to improve. It’s not like we have maxed out or only getting close because other teams are playing bad.
“We’re just not executing things and hurting ourselves. We’ve pushed the Roosters and Melbourne. We’ve still got 10 games to go and have a chance, but we have to start winning now. We can’t be falling any further behind.”
Maroons selections under fire after Titans star ruled out
The fallout of Queensland’s Townsville Origin debacle has continued after Titans coach Justin Holbrook questioned whether the Maroons should have played injured utility AJ Brimson.
Brimson has been ruled out of Gold Coast’s clash with the Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday by a knee injury he carried into Game One.
Brimson was close to being a late scratching for Origin I but took his place on the bench with his knee heavily strapped and provided relief at hooker for underdone No.9 Harry Grant.
Despite playing only 16 minutes for Queensland, Brimson has not been able to back-up for the Titans in his preferred position at fullback, with Jayden Campbell to get another crack.
Prop Moeaki Fotuaika, Queensland’s best player on Wednesday night, will miss the Roosters game through suspension but star forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (ribs) and David Fifita are hopeful of playing despite not training on Friday.
Maroons coach Paul Green lamented his team’s preparation following the record 50-6 hiding after he took several underdone players into the game and admitted Queensland’s training standards were not up to scratch.
Holbrook said Brimson was in doubt for the Roosters game regardless of whether he played for Queensland.
“I’m not sure,” Holbrook said when asked if Brimson should have played for Queensland.
“His knee is obviously not 100 per cent and they made a call that he only had to do a small job they were confident he could do. It’s up to them (Queensland). I’m not sure he would have been completely right this week anyway.
“He is just not 100 per cent. It’s too hard for his position. If he was a second-rower or front-rower, you can play when you’re not completely right.
“For us and the role we need him to play, (he isn’t fit). It was a different role Wednesday night. I want him to play fullback if he’s going to play and he’s not going to be right to do that.
“It’s too short a time for me to try and get him to back-up and play fullback. I’ll just run with Jayden Campbell. He was really good last week so I want to give him another game.”
The Brimson and Fotuaika omissions are a blow to the Titans who have lost six of their past eight games heading into the match against the fifth-placed Roosters.
Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita are desperate to play and will be assessed on game-day after sitting out Friday’s captain’s run.
Campbell, son of Titans legend Preston Campbell, will play his second NRL game at fullback and Holbrook has instructed the excitement machine to be himself following a nervous debut in last week’s loss to Melbourne.
“Like anyone, the more you play the more comfortable you get,” Holbrook said.
“I had a chat to him this week and said I want him to get involved as much as he can and not worry about anyone else or other options.
“He is such a good natural footy player that we’re going to need that from him.
“He has to go out and enjoy playing footy. When they do that they play at their best.
“It was tough (losing 20-14 to Melbourne). I thought we were the better side and tried really hard, but didn’t execute as well as we would have liked.
“We will improve on that and try to get the win.”
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