Wallace vows to get back on Origin track
GOLD Coast prop Jarrod Wallace’s suspension came as an untimely speed bump but he believes he can still launch an irresistible audition for a 2019 State of Origin role.
Wallace was exceptional in the Titans’ Round 5 win over Penrith but was rubbed out for two games in the aftermath due to a shoulder charge he laid on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
He will return for the side’s Friday night showdown with the Cowboys in Townsville which could mould both teams’ seasons. The Titans and Cowboys are in a logjam in which the bottom seven teams on the ladder are all locked on four points.
Wallace is determined to make up for missing the past fortnight with a dominant display against a North Queensland pack headlined by Matt Scott, Jordan McLean, Gavin Cooper, Josh McGuire, Coen Hess and possibly a fit-again Jason Taumalolo.
“I’m pumped. I feel like I have been out for eight weeks and it has only been two weeks,” he said.
“I was very disappointed (to get suspended) because obviously match fitness takes a little while to come back.
“You can run as much as you want in pre-season but match fitness is completely different. I felt like I was just starting to find my feet and my minutes and then getting slapped with two weeks definitely hurt.”
The 27-year-old has been training hard behind the scenes and knows club form will be decisive in whether he retains his Maroons jersey.
“I still have got five weeks to get back out and play some good footy and hopefully get myself back in contention for that,” Wallace said.
The Titans let a golden opportunity for three straight wins slip when they gave up a 14-0 lead against Wests Tigers. Wallace said improving their consistency is a must if they are to start contending at the pointy end.
“We’re never going to be a top eight or top four team or in contention for that grand final if we’re not playing with consistency. Until we do that, we will end up down the bottom all of the time,” he said.
The Titans yesterday announced a partnership with G:link that will see the faces and voices of Wallace, Anthony Don and AJ Brimson on Gold Coast trams.
“I’m not too sure if we’ll get more people on it or if we’ll scare people away,” Wallace laughed. “There’s a couple of big melons on the side but it’s great for them to come on-board and I’m sure it will be a good partnership for the next couple of years.”
I’M PUMPED. I FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN OUT FOR EIGHT WEEKS AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN TWO WEEKS JARROD WALLACE