Beam up Scotty, Origin enterprise needs mega tackler Beau Scott

BEAU Scott last night made a spectacular 11th-hour dash for State of Origin selection.

BEAU Scott last night made a spectacular 11th-hour dash for State of Origin selection after Dragons coach Steve Price declared him the exact type of player Ricky Stuart needs for the decider.

In a dour affair in bitterly cold and windy conditions at WIN Stadium, the second-rower did all he could have been asked to do in an extremely solid display that saw him hold the Dragons' right side defence watertight.

He stood his ground like a giant in the Pink V's defensive line, but his impact on the game was limited by a lack of opportunities in attack and a resolved Titans defence.

This is what has left the door open for Melbourne Storm second-rower Ryan Hoffman to replace Glenn Stewart in the Blues side for Origin III at Suncorp Stadium. However, Price is adamant Scott is the right man for the job.

"I thought he was great tonight. He really hung tough," Price said.

"I'm sure that's the type of player Ricky is asking for now that Glenn is injured. He'd certainly do a job if he certainly got picked."

His 30 tackles without being bumped off once, was surely enough to catch Stuart's attention as he gets set to name his side for Origin III tomorrow, but it wasn't a performance that would have jumped into Stuart's face and demanded a recall.

The 28-year-old, who made his debut for NSW in 2010, picked up two Dally M votes awarded by Andrew Johns. He came out of the defensive lines at the right times, jamming every run the Titans threw at the Dragons right fringe.

But across the park the Dragons were rock solid. The Gold Coast only broke their line once and that was from a kick into the in-goal.

Every week since returning from a dislocated elbow injury he suffered on Anzac Day, Scott's game has been returning to him piece by piece. Last night he added a giant piece of confidence. Stuart knows Scott will be dependable.

Follow @Telegraph_Sport on Twitter and like Telegraph Sport on Facebook