TIME WILL TELL
Titans tyro Jarrod Wallace craves more minutes for State of Origin III
JARROD Wallace has thrown his hand up for more minutes in Origin III after playing just a short stint in his Queensland debut.
The Titans young gun notched 22 minutes on the field on Wednesday night after starting for the Maroons in their thrilling 18-16 victory at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Wallace made 11 tackles without a miss in the bruising opening stages after being recruited to help stiffen the middle defence that had been such an issue for Queensland in the series opener.
The powerful prop is champing at the bit to run riot against NSW in the decider at Suncorp Stadium next month and is hopeful of getting more time on the field.
“I was expecting to probably get back on there in the second half but that’s footy,” Wallace said.
“I had a chat with Kevvie (Maroons coach Kevin Walters) and a few things had to change when Willie Chambers (concussion) got injured.
“I can’t stew on it too much. I’m really happy with the way I started and I would have liked to have had more minutes.
“But we had a real big focus, me and (Dylan Napa), to get the boys on a really big roll. I thought we did a really good job.
“I’d be ready to play more minutes. I already can’t wait for Game Three if they want to pick me again.”
That goal has the backing of his Titans coach Neil Henry and captain Ryan James, who thought the 25year-old had played his role for the Maroons.
“I thought he did his job well in those opening exchanges,” said Henry, a former Queensland assistant coach.
“It was a very tough, intense, start to the game and he carried the ball well and worked hard defensively and did his job.”
James, a proud New South Welshman, was hoping for a different result on Wednesday night but was proud of his mate, feeling his efforts in the opening stages had been underrated.
“I thought his first 20 was excellent. I thought he was one of the better front-rowers out there and I was extremely surprised that he didn’t get back on,” James said.
Blues pair Nathan Peats and Jarryd Hayne will rejoin the Titans tonight looking to rebound from their crushing loss on Wednesday.
“They’re down a bit obviously from the result from the (Origin) game but then they’re back with their clubmates and looking for a victory,” Henry said.