Maroons hardman backs Wallace calls
Guerra confident he can hold spot
QUEENSLAND forward Aidan Guerra is confident of keeping his spot for State of Origin Game Two despite a former Maroons calling for his axing.
The 29-year-old Guerra is among a handful of players under pressure to retain their place after NSW walloped the Maroons by a record margin in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium last week.
But after backing up in the Sydney Roosters’ win over Brisbane on Saturday, Guerra responded to critics who believe Maroons coach Kevin Walters needs to inject new players.
“I felt like I went all right. The people that matter were happy with how I played and that’s enough for me,” Guerra said.
“People are entitled to their opinions but they’re not the ones making the call.”
Champion Storm fullback Billy Slater, North Queensland forward Coen Hess and Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace have all been tipped to be brought into the fold for the June 21 clash in Sydney.
Guerra, along with Justin O’Neill and Nate Myles, could be left out.
Should Guerra be dropped, it would end an impressive run of 10 straight matches in the interstate arena since his debut in 2014, with the back-rower winning half of those games.
However with next week’s NRL clash against the Wests Tigers his only chance to impress before the Game Two @EmmaGreenwood12 JARROD Wallace’s Origin hopes have received a boost from one of Queensland’s toughest forwards.
Former Maroons hardman Kevin Campion has backed the addition of Wallace to Queensland’s team for Game Two to help nullify the Blues’ go-forward, saying the Titans prop would be a “perfect fit” for the embattled Maroons.
Like Wallace, who at 189cm and 109kg gives up as much as 10cm and 11kg to the likes of Andrew Fifita and David Klemmer, Campion gave up height and weight to his rivals but could never be accused of taking a backward step.
Now an assistant coach with Tweed Seagulls, Campion said Wallace’s addition was a must for Queensland.
“I don’t think (his size) is an issue,” said Campion, who played four Origin games for Queensland in 2001 and 2002 after a pair of interstate games during the Super League years.
“He fits the bill for Origin. He’s tough and will handle the step up. My concern is not with Jarrod, he is ready.
“My concern is with the Queensland pack in general.
“We couldn’t compete with NSW in size and skill.”
Queensland’s “loyalty policy” will come under severe scrutiny after Queensland lost the battle in the middle of the field in the series opener, with some of their forwards not up to the task.
Calls for change are ringing and Wallace is the man most likely to be called on.
While debate rages about whether Cowboys young gun Coen Hess is ready for an Origin call-up, with his club coach Paul Green arguing it could ultimately hinder his development, Wallace is ready to make the step up.
The 25-year-old was 18th man for Game One and Maroons coach Kevin Walters’ call to bring him into camp to experience the build-up to an Origin clash, could be a masterstroke team is named, Guerra insists he has no more nerves about his selection.
“Once again, it’s the people that matter and that’s usually the coach,” Guerra said.
“We’ve had some conversations and he’s been happy with the way I’ve been going. That’s all there is to it.
“All the outside noise nothing but bulls .... to me.” is debut.
“It was obviously an exciting and a different experience,” Wallace said.
“It was really good for me and I’m obviously only going to benefit from it.
“I was never playing but I was coming in to do a job as 18th man and really use it as experience for if I do play.”
While he made slightly less than his season average of 133m for the Titans against the Cowboys on Saturday night, his 48 tackles in the middle of the field showed he is a reliable defender, something Queensland is desperate for.
“We were outplayed and beaten up really badly in the forwards and that’s where the game was won and unfortunately lost for us,” Campion said of the Origin opener.
“Obviously we need to make changes but where do we find the size and skill to match the Blues in such a short space of time?
“Jarrod Wallace would be a perfect fit for this game.
“He has been the Titans’ best this season, his ability to get his team going forward has been outstanding and he has good ball skills, being able to offload in traffic when it’s on.
“Queensland need to make changes particularly in the forwards and I think Jarrod would do the Maroon jersey proud.” ahead of a likely