Ash Taylor wants to shake off poor form and prove he’s still Origin material

TITANS halfback Ash Taylor says he is out to prove he can be Queensland’s next No. 7 despite Daly Cherry-Evans’ outstanding Origin return and his own poor recent form.

Ashley Taylor of the Titans takes the ball up during the Round 18 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Sydney Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TITANS halfback Ash Taylor says he is out to prove he can be Queensland’s next No. 7 despite Daly Cherry-Evans’ outstanding Origin return.

Taylor was overlooked by Maroons selectors for the Queensland halfback duties in last week’s dead-rubber at Suncorp Stadium.

After spending three years in the Origin wilderness, Cherry-Evans returned in a blaze of glory to prove he is the man to replace retired legend Cooper Cronk.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters contemplated giving Taylor his Origin debut before opting to recall the experienced Cherry-Evans.

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Taylor’s form since being overlooked has left a lot to be desired. He has had poor back-to-back performances in home losses to the Broncos and Roosters, which have all but ended the Gold Coast’s faint finals hopes.

But the 23-year-old is determined to prove he has the credentials to be a long-term Maroons playmaker and will fight Cherry-Evans, Michael Morgan and Ben Hunt for the No. 7 jersey next year.

“I was all right (with the decision), it was obviously a massive call for Kevvie,” Taylor said.

“Cherry did a great job. He took it with both hands. He is a great player. I don’t underrate him at all.

“I have to pick up my game and make sure I’m back in contention for next year.

“It’s another target for me now to go after that jersey. If you really want that jersey you’ll work hard for it and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Taylor’s recent form has proven that Walters made the right call to keep his Origin aspirations on ice.

Much like the Titans, Taylor has struggled for consistency in 2018 and Walters urged him to work on certain aspects of his game.

“Kevvie rang me and said I need to work on a few things,” Taylor said.

“He said I need to run the ball more and find a bit more consistency. That’s what I’m going to do from now on.

“He said to keep working hard and hopefully I’ll get there one day.”

Taylor has a golden opportunity to bounce back into form against the Knights in Newcastle on Saturday, where he will confront former NSW Origin halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Taylor has struggled since missing out on Origin III. AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

The Titans must win their remaining seven matches by healthy margins to qualify for the finals, a near impossible task.

But Taylor is also looking to prove he is worth the $1 million-a-season he will pocket from next year.

“The Broncos game was not acceptable but (Roosters) was a bit better,” he said.

“I still need to work on a few things. We need to work hard as a team. If the team is firing, then I’m firing.

“I need to keep bringing the best attitude I can every week.

“When we are behind on the scoreboard and you’re trying to find your own form, you can try too much.

“I tried too hard because I know we can do great things as a team and it’s frustrating we’re not doing that.

Can Taylor break the shackles? AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

“I need to be better for the team because when I’m better, that’s when the team will be going good.”

The Titans have invested heavily in Taylor, signing the 63-game player to a $3 million contract until 2021.

They appear to have found a solid five-eighth to play alongside him in teenager AJ Brimson and the pressure is now on Taylor to deliver.

Titans coach Garth Brennan said Taylor was guilty of trying too hard at times, prompting him to make costly errors.

“He does try too hard at times,” he said.

“It’s not because he’s lazy or doesn’t want to perform.

“He is very driven. Sometimes he tries too hard and he’s got to understand that when things go against him, he’s got to brush it off and move on to the next thing.”

Originally published as Ash Taylor wants to shake off poor form and prove he’s still Origin material