Maroon audition for Titan

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.

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 (above) 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.

However, with 166 NRL games under his belt and solid form this year, particularly over the past month, Wallace said he was ready for an Origin recall after being disappointed by his game one snubbing.

“You are always disappointed (to miss out), but I don’t know if I’m even in contention with Greeny’s team anymore,” he said.

“You always get a little bit disappointed when you are playing good footy and don’t get picked.

“He has some big decisions to make and I’m ready to go if he wants to give me the call.

“I’ve got a different mindset and am a lot fitter.”