James pledge to push even harder
RYAN James is entitled to be bitter. Instead, he is choosing to get better.
It is a tribute to James’ character and team-first ethos that the Titans skipper refuses to have his spirit broken by his latest, and possibly most painful, omission from the NSW State of Origin side.
James remains tantalisingly on the NSW periphery after he lost out to Cronulla rival Matt Prior for a starting NSW frontrow spot in the Blues’ seriesclinching 18-14 victory in Origin II last Sunday night.
The hammer blow came just 10 days after James’ bizarre snubbing for Origin I, when he was told to fly into NSW camp in Sydney, only for Blues coach Brad Fittler to change his mind hours later.
The one-two selection
punch could have floored James, but as he prepares for Sunday’s clash against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, the Titans enforcer is hungrier than ever for an Origin debut.
“You can look at it (his Origin omission) as a positive or negative but I’m not angry at all,” James said.
“Freddy (Fittler) chose the team that eventually went on to win the series and I’m not going to criticise his decision. Matt Prior has big-game experience and has won a
premiership at Cronulla so he got the job done.
“I was just grateful to be part of the camp, to chuck on a NSW jersey at training and start to feel what Origin is about.
“I have been on the cusp for a few years, but I’ve never had the chance to be part of the team for the whole week and take part in the captain’s run.
“I was thankful because I learnt so much about Origin from so many elite players and how they conduct themselves.
“Just walking to the game with the squad was unbelievable. Hopefully, the time comes where I can put on a NSW jersey one day.
“I feel honoured to be part of the NSW set-up and I think I will come out a better player and person for having been part of the preparations.
“That can only be good for me and the Titans.”
After being eventually squeezed out in favour of Prior, James sought an explanation from Fittler on the steps he must take to become an Origin player.
“Freddy told me he wants me to be more explosive with my work at the Titans,” James said.
Titans coach Garth Brennan says James’ attitude is one reason why he will eventually crack the NSW team. “His time will come,” he said.