FORGOTTEN TITAN MAINTAINING RAGE
MICHAEL Gordon has backed Ryan James to return to the Titans a better player after his week in camp with the victorious Blues.
NSW selectors plumped for Cronulla prop Matt Prior to replace the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard for Game Two, ahead of James, but the Gold Coast captain still spent the week in camp and experienced the historic series win at close quarters. From training runs to walking to the stadium on Sunday night and experiencing the inner sanctum of the dressing room, James (pictured) experienced every moment with the Blues — except for pulling on the boots and playing.
And it’s that experience Gordon believes he will draw on, rather than the disappointment of missing out on making his State of Origin debut. While Gordon is several years older than James, he played junior football with the Titans captain’s brother at South Tweed and has watched his progress for years.
“The first game he didn’t go into camp and him being in camp and training and being a part of that elite level, he’ll come back a bigger and better player,” Gordon said.
“There’s no doubt he’ll get his chance but it’s one of those things that hasn’t fallen his way at the moment.”
The 26-year-old came tantalisingly close to making his Origin debut this series but has been forced to watch on from the fringes in a scenario that would torment a lesser man.
Booked on a plane ahead of the team announcement for Game One, James was told at the 11th hour he was not required in camp.
After finally making the extended squad, his dream was thwarted again when NSW selectors chose Prior, who went on to make just 26m from three runs on Sunday night.
The way James has conducted himself though has only increased his stocks. “His time will definitely come,” Gordon said. “And him staying in camp will only benefit him.”
James’s Titans teammate Jarrod Wallace is likely to come under pressure after a lacklustre effort but Gordon said he and fellow Maroons forward Jai Arrow would fight to regain their spots with Queensland.