WHIZ-KID THE GOAT
TITAN Jarrod Wallace is fighting to save his Maroons career after becoming the forward pack’s sacrificial lamb for the blooding of Queensland sensation Kalyn Ponga in Origin II.
The Maroons prop had pledged to return to his metre-eating best after running for a paltry 43m in Queensland’s 22-12 loss to the Blues in the series opener.
But Wallace again struggled for impact in the return bout on Sunday, managing just four runs and 44m before being replaced at the 28-minute mark to clear the path for Ponga’s debut.
On match eve, Wallace lashed the media for criticising his numbers in Origin I.
But statistics now demonstrate why Wallace, who prides himself on making at least 100m per game for his club side the Gold Coast Titans, is in danger of being axed for Origin III on July 11 at Suncorp Stadium.
In the past 20 years of State of Origin, Wallace is the only starting prop to have run for fewer than 50m on three occasions after being held to 21m in Game Two last year.
Another stint on the field would have helped his cause in Origin II, but Wallace was left to lament his role as a second-half passenger as the Maroons turned to utility Ponga for spark.
“It’s disappointing,” Wallace said of his performance on Sunday night.
“I thought I could only do
what I could in the limited time I had. I didn’t get more chances, but that is footy sometimes.”
During his first-quarter stint, Wallace passed before the line on several occasions, suggesting the Maroons prop was under instruction to get early ball to a deep backline.
Queensland selectors are sure to consider the claims of Broncos prop Joe Ofahengaue for Origin III, but Wallace urged Maroons coach Kevin Walters not to lose faith in him.
“I thought I was good when I was on there, but I had to try and do as much as I could in limited time.
“I hope that is enough. My stint was really good. I was in the rhythm of the game and we were in the game when I came off.
“The backs made more metres because that tends to happen with Queensland where they want the backs to do the carries but the forwards to defend really well in the middle, and I felt our middle was really tight.
“Sometimes the forwards don’t get the carries they would like. That is just footy.”