Advanced statistic reveals why Gold Coast Titans props Jarrod Wallace and Jaimin Jolliffe have been so good

Ask Titans prop Jarrod Wallace to name the hardest working forwards in the NRL and the names rattle off rapid-fire, but according to advanced statistics they’re all incorrect.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 10: Jaimin Jolliffe of the Titans is tackled during the round nine NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on July 10, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Ask Gold Coast Titans prop Jarrod Wallace to name the hardest working forwards in the NRL and the names rattle off rapid-fire.

Jake Trbojevic, Fonua Blake and Josh Papalii are his first guesses but according to advanced statistics calculated by the Rugby League Eye Test they’re all incorrect.

‘Involvement rate’ is a new statistic measuring the percentage of a team’s runs and tackles that each player takes while on the field.

Ahead of last week’s game against the Sharks two Gold Coast Titans sat atop the statistic across all positions in the NRL.

At No.1 was prop Jaimin Jolliffe, the Titans rookie whose industrious play saw him rise from a train-and-trial pre-season contract to a bona fide NRL starter.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 10: Jaimin Jolliffe of the Titans is tackled during the round nine NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on July 10, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Of the Titans 3,967 runs and tackles to date with Jolliffe on the field, the former Newtown Jet was involved in 412 for a season involvement rate of 22.87 per cent, the best in rugby league.

At No.2, responsible for 22.6 per cent of 3,262 plays, was Jarrod Wallace – one name the humble 29-year-old would never have guessed.

“Am I really?” the surprised Titan asked.

“That is a surprise. I just do my job.

“I don’t overplay my hand or do more than I’m capable of but it’s pleasing to know that I’m doing something right.”

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Wallace’s relentless play has been a key factor in the Titans improved staying power under coach Justin Holbrook.

Previous versions of the Gold Coast Titans would have folded against heavyweights Panthers and Roosters in recent weeks but Wallace and the rest of the Gold Coast forwards are forcing the NRL world to re-evaluate their easybeat status.

On a personal level, Wallace has tightened up his discipline considerably since ending the 2017 season as the Titans’ most penalised player.

NRL Rd 14 - Sharks v Titans

A shoulder injury to Jai Arrow has opened the door to a return to the starting team alongside Jolliffe and Moeaki Fotuaika, who fills in at lock.

Wallace said the new pack combination would bring stability ahead of a big clash with Canberra, and Origin prop Josh Papalii, on the horizon.

“It should give us more go forward and direction because me and Jimmy run a very straight line,” Wallace said.

“With our structure we really have three middles who share the workload together, we don’t have one guy to do one thing, we’re all on the same page and running the same system.

“Jai is fantastic but he’s more mobile – for us it’ll really straighten up our game and play more direct which will tighten up our pack through the middle.”

Interchange prop Sam Lisone sits 13th on the NRL ‘involvement rate’ ladder after Round 14.