SECOND COMING
Inglis backs Slater to inspire Maroons in Origin return
RIKKI-LEE ARNOLD
MAROONS captain Greg Inglis is counting on Billy Slater to have an enormous influence on Queensland’s fortunes tomorrow night, as the star fullback prepares for his 30th Origin match.
The Maroons veteran will
make his comeback at ANZ Stadium after missing Origin I with a hamstring injury.
It is almost a case of déjà vu after Slater also came back in Game Two last year (Queensland won 18-16), following a Game One omission.
MAROONS forward Jarrod Wallace was never at threat of losing his place in the Queensland side as coach Kevin Walters believes he will fire up to fight back against criticism.
Wallace came under heavy scrutiny for his performance in State of Origin I at the MCG.
Usually a metre-eater for the Titans, the prop struggled to make an impact against the NSW pack, running for 43m.
Some critics even suggested he should be dropped for Origin II, while Wallace said he hoped Walters would give him a second chance.
The coach said there was never any question as to whether the 26-year-old was going to play in Game Two.
“Not at all,” Walters said when asked if Wallace’s spot was ever in jeopardy.
“Everybody has their off nights. In some areas he was unfairly criticised in Game
One. Defensively he was really good … we just need him to carry the ball a bit more.
“That’s something Jarrod does naturally for the Titans.
‘‘He needs to bring that with him as well at Origin level.
“It’s going to be a bit tough and a bit harder for him because the metres aren’t as easy at this level. But we’re confident that he’s going to do a really good job for us.”
After the loss in Melbourne, one of the harshest critics of Wallace was himself. He was a defeated man in the Queensland sheds after the match, but he also made an immediate vow to fight harder in Game Two.
Walters said he had seen a steely determination in Wallace all week and that’s what had assured staff he was ready.
The coach said the whole team had to lift alongside Wallace if it was to be a chance of claiming victory tomorrow.