NSW BLUES
TITANS skipper Ryan James has opened up about the pain of his Origin snubbings, admitting his agonising omission from the NSW team is driving his quest to clinch a maiden sky-blue jumper this season.
James will receive the ultimate test of his Origin bona fides when Gold Coast’s longest-serving player confronts Souths’ forward big guns Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Tom Burgess this Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
It was the very venue that should have hosted James’ Origin debut for Game 2 last season, only for the Titans stalwart to be left heartbroken by 11th-hour selection politics. When NSW enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard suffered an injury in the series opener, James was tantalisingly within reach of the Origin debut he has craved since his sublime season in 2016 when he scored 12 tries in 25 games.
Blues coach Brad Fittler faced a gut-wrenching call. James versus Sharks rival Matt Prior. Fittler opted for Prior, relegating James to 18th man duties.
The crushing blow for James came just three weeks after he was called into NSW’s extended squad for Origin I, only for Fittler to change his mind 24 hours later and pick David Klemmer instead.
Given the twin setbacks, James is entitled to be bitter.
Instead, he is determined to be better, hoping a bumper performance against the Rabbitohs’ representative stars can convince Fittler he is ready for the code’s toughest arena.
“What I have been through has made me hungrier to play for NSW – 100 per cent,” James said.
“Growing up in the most northern part of NSW and living so close to the Queensland border, I think the Origin rivalry is more intense. I understand it.
“I have great respect for everyone that has worn the NSW jersey and I want to do the past Blues players proud.
“It definitely hurts to keep missing the Origin team but it’s given me something to strive for this season.
“Hopefully, I can be back in the mix around selection time and finally pull on that NSW jumper.”
James copped a fresh reminder of his Origin close shave last week, when he came face-to-face with Prior in the Titans’ 20-6 loss to Cronulla.
Statistically, he outpointed Prior, making 21 more metres (140 to 119), eight more hit-ups (20 to 12) and four extra tackles (28 to 24), a statement that James hopes keeps him in the Origin discussions.
“I watched Matty Prior debuting and it gives me hope,” he said.
“Brad called me and Matty aside at the time and said he felt Matt was the same style of player to Reagan. NSW ended up winning the second game and the series, so it was the right decision.
“I was just stoked to be around the NSW squad that won the Origin shield back, so I always try to make sure I take positives out of negatives.
“It’s made me work even harder on my game.”