THAT’S A BLUES BATH
Titans prop uninspiring in Maroons battering
MAROONS captain Daly Cherry-Evans promises Queensland will be better for State of Origin’s decider in Sydney after copping a 38-6 hiding from NSW in Perth last night. “It’s easy fixed, we get another chance. We will brush ourselves off and we’ll be right,” he said after the match.
THE question marks surrounding Jarrod Wallace’s ability to dominate at Origin level are unlikely to disappear before the July 10 decider after another unspectacular effort in Queensland’s 38-6 horror show last night.
Playing in a Maroons forward pack that was dominated from start to finish, the Titans prop was unable to make his mark after coming off the bench just shy of the half-hour.
Recalled to the side for his sixth Origin following injuries to Titans teammate Jai Arrow and Brisbane’s Joe Ofahengaue, the 27-year-old managed just 54m from eight runs and 23 tackles in 28mins of action.
His problems were compounded early in the second half when he gave away a silly penalty for attacking the legs of NSW five-eighth James Maloney in mid-air.
With Ofahengaue likely to re-enter Maroons calculations for Game 3 in Sydney, Wallace will face a nervous wait ahead of selections early next month.
He entered the game under pressure after failing to fire in three games last season, where he made just 52m and 43m as a starting prop before producing 82m off the bench in Game 3.
That situation prompted Maroons officials to place a media ban on him in the leadup to last night’s battle in Perth, but he told the Bulletin earlier this month he was desperate to prove his credentials at Origin level.
“I love that (Queensland) jersey and it means a lot to me and my family,” he said.
“It makes me proud to wear it every time that I have and I want to make sure that I’m
PAUL VAUTIN ON JAI ARROW
playing good footy so I can stay there as long as I can.”
Speaking during commentary, Maroons legend Paul Vautin conceded Kevin Walters’ side was in desperate need of Arrow’s engine-room output.
“There’s no doubt about it. He’s got good leg speed and is a sad loss. Queensland is missing him a lot,” Vautin said.
After providing valuable impact off the bench in Game 1, Keebra Park product David Fifita again showed he was not out of his depth with another solid performance last night.
HE’S GOT GOOD LEG SPEED AND IS A SAD LOSS. QUEENSLAND IS MISSING HIM A LOT