COACH’S CALL
Besieged Wallace says Kev the only critic he listens to
MAROONS forward Jarrod Wallace says he had ignored criticism of his Origin performance, with the judgment of coach Kevin Walters the only opinion he was interested in.
Wallace kept his spot in the Maroons team for Game Three, although he will come off the bench after losing his starting position in the front-row after a lacklustre showing in Queensland’s series loss.
The Titans forward prop has been pilloried for his lack of punch so far this series but said he was not interested in criticism unless it came from Walters or Maroons coaching staff.
“I haven’t read or looked at anything,” Wallace said, claiming not to be aware of the criticism that has come his way this series.
“The only opinion that matters to me is Kevvie and the coaching staff here, so I’m not too worried about all that.”
Walters fired back at faceless critics that have trolled Wallace and Ben Hunt online, hurling abuse at the pair for the Maroons’ rare series loss.
“It’s always good to have the support from your coach,” Wallace said. “It’d be hard for him to sit back and watch his team be criticised.
“We were better 95 per cent of that game, it was just a couple of moments that didn’t go our way and we didn’t get those points.”
Queensland’s decision to push debutant Kalyn Ponga into the middle of the ground as a first-half interchange meant Wallace did not return for a second stint in Game Two.
He has been named to come off the bench next Wednesday – a different challenge after starting each of his four games so far – but one he is relishing.
“I’m still here and part of the team and that’s all that matters to me,” he said.
“I want to just make sure that I’m wearing the jersey.
“When I do it doesn’t matter where it is, coming off the bench or starting, I just do it to the best of my ability.
“It will be a different challenge. Obviously the boys will have ground out that momentum, I’ve just got to make sure that when I get on there, I’m keeping that up or improving on it when I get out there.”
Just don’t try to tell Wallace it’s a dead rubber.
“Everyone’s saying it’s a dead rubber but it’s not to us,” he said.
“A Game Three in Brisbane means everything to the boys.
“It’s our home advantage now and we love playing here and I don’t know how people can even say that really.”