I WON’T GIVE UP
HIS ORIGIN HOPE WAS SNATCHED AWAY LATE, BUT RYAN JAMES ISN’T GIVING UP JUST YET.
HE had his latest Origin dream snatched in the cruellest way possible, but a determined Ryan James has vowed to keep striving for NSW honours. Speaking publicly for the first time since his chaotic Blues inclusion then dumping, the Titans skipper called it “surreal Sunday”. “It’s a long series and I’m always hopeful and I was just happy to be in the mix,” he said.
A SHATTERED Ryan James is clinging to the hope he can still get his Origin chance after winning rare cross-border praise from the Maroons.
James was literally booked on the plane to join the Blues in Sydney on Monday before being informed late on Sunday his services were no longer needed.
It was a massive blow for the Titans captain, who has long dreamt of pulling on the Blues jersey.
But after a phone call from NSW coach Brad “Freddy” Fittler, and public support from Maroons forward Jarrod Wallace, James has vowed to do all he can to impress in case he is needed for the remainder of the series.
“It was just one of those days and you can’t do much about it,” James told the Bulletin of his “surreal Sunday” where he was in, then out, of the Blues squad.
“Freddy’s gone with the team he thinks will be strongest to beat Queensland and fingers crossed we do.
“But it’s a long series and I’m always hopeful and I was just happy to be in the mix.
“Sunday was a tough day to swallow but it was just one of those days and you end up being better for it because you go back and train harder and try and play harder to get that jersey.
“I’m lucky I’ve got a good group of people around me who helped me through it.” James’s Titans teammate Wallace said he felt for his captain, who he backed to make an impact in the Origin arena if he got his chance.
“He’s been outstanding the last couple of years and he’s been a great player and a great leader for us and I definitely think he deserved his time,” Wallace said.
“The best thing about Ryano is he can play back row, he can play front row, he can play big minutes, he’s got great ball skills, so I think he would have been perfect – if not for the starting front row, then off the bench.
“I know that he’s disappointed because I’ve spoken to him and he wanted that jersey so bad. But I know he’ll be pushing for that Game Two if anything is to happen.” Wallace expects fellow Titans debutant Jai Arrow to find another gear when he makes his debut for Queensland next Wednesday and said James would do the same if given the chance for the Blues. “He’s a real pressure player. If he’s told to go and make 40 tackles, he’ll make 40 tackles – two weeks ago he made 60 tackles in the middle and played 80 minutes off the edge and the front row.” It’s understood James remains in the frame for NSW selection.