IT’S JARROD’S JUDGMENT DAY
UNDER-fire Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace says his Origin career is on the line and vows to repay the faith of Queensland selectors following an MCG mauling. Wallace’s pledge comes as statistics show the Titan is the only Queensland prop of the past 20 years to have run for fewer than 50m in two Origin games.
UNDER-FIRE Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace says his Origin career is on the line and vows to repay the faith of Queensland selectors following an MCG mauling.
Wallace’s pledge comes as statistics show the Maroons bookend is the only Queensland prop of the past 20 years to have run for fewer than 50m in two Origin games.
Now Wallace, 26, returns to Homebush hellbent on proving he is an Origin-quality front-rower against the NSW pack that monstered their rivals in the series opener.
The Titans enforcer prides himself on exceeding 100m a game and with engine-room cohort Dylan Napa (ankle) under an injury cloud, Wallace says he must deliver.
“I have worked my butt off to get to this level. I don’t want to let this jumper go,” he said. “I was definitely disappointed with the loss in Melbourne and the way the game panned out for me.
“Injuries or not, I personally think I need to step up my game. I have high expectations on myself and what I did in Origin I wasn’t good enough. I wouldn’t say I was terrible – but it wasn’t to my standard.
“I pride myself on running the ball and getting the team on the front foot. I had five or six carries and that’s not up to standard in an Origin game.
“I didn’t get the ball enough in my hands, simple as that.”
The Blues destroyed Queensland midfield in Origin I and Wallace was the poster boy for a pack that struggled to gain the ascendancy.
The Maroons have a proud history of cultivating inspirational front-rowers, headlined by Arthur Beetson, Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva and Matt Scott, and Wallace is determined to uphold that legacy.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters will come under pressure to wield the axe if the Maroons’ dynasty comes crashing down on Sunday night.
“I have to improve,” Wallace said.
“I know there are no guarantees. I was worried that they might pick someone else to do the job, so I am stoked that Kevvie and the selectors have that faith in me to get the job done and I want to repay that faith.”