Gold Coast Titans prop Jarrod Wallace ‘hurt’ by Queensland Maroons axing, responds in style

It wasn’t the team result he wanted but a “hurt” Jarrod Wallace put in a mighty reminder of his abilities to Maroons mentor Kevin Walters – and it came as no surprise to his club coach.

IT wasn’t the team result he wanted but a “hurt” Jarrod Wallace put in a mighty reminder of his abilities to Maroons mentor Kevin Walters – and it came as no surprise to his club coach.

Seven days after learning he would be dumped from the Queensland State of Origin team, Wallace put in a monumental effort to lead the Titans forward pack in their 6-4 loss to the Cowboys.

The 27-year-old charged the ball forward for 204m and came up with a desperate effort in cover defence to stop a possible Kyle Feldt long range try.

Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan was not surprised by his response to the bad news.

“One thing I’ve known about Jarrod Wallace since I have been up here at the Gold Coast for the last 16 to 18 months is that he deals with adversity very well,” Brennan said.

Jarrod Wallace (right) helps to bring Jason Taumalolo to a halt. Picture: Getty Images

“He is very mentally tough, Jarrod, and when things go against him you usually get that sort of response.

“I have seen things, whether it be personal or professional, that have gone against Jarrod and he tends to always bounce back and deliver.”

Wallace admitted he was gutted to learn of his Maroons omission but was grateful for Walters’ gesture to personally inform him via a phone call in advance of the team announcement.

“I’m not going to lie, I was very disappointed,” the front-rower said.

Jarrod Wallace. Picture: Getty Images

“It was a tough start to the week and I won’t try to beat around the bush with that. I was definitely disappointed because I felt like the last month I have really tried to put in as much as I could after coming off suspension and to not get picked, it hurt a lot.

“I wasn’t trying to prove a point to anyone (against the Cowboys), I just wanted to come out and win the game.”

Wallace is targeting more of the same displays in Titans colours to put himself back in the frame for Game Two.

Jarrod Wallace has five State of Origins to his name. Picture: AAP Image

“That’s all I can do now, is try to prove that I’m worth being back in that jersey and if I am lucky enough to play, I will give it my all,” he said.

As for his resilience in times of adversity: “That’s just come from my upbringing, my old man and my family has always taught me to be like that.

“I suppose I always seem to play better under a bit of pressure like that.”

Wallace found support in the forward pack from Moeaki Fotuaika, who ran for 205m, and Kevin Proctor, who had his best game of the year.