The stage was set for recalled Queensland prop Jarrod Wallace to finally make the most of his State of Origin chance.
But it seems Wallace may have let another opportunity slip after the Gold Coast forward failed to inspire an outclassed Maroons pack in NSW's 38-6 Origin II win in Perth on Sunday night.
A media ban was placed on Wallace before Origin II with the Titans forward tipped to let his football do the talking in his Maroons return.
Wallace was dropped for Queensland's series opening 18-14 victory after a quiet start for NRL club Gold Coast and criticism of his Origin efforts in 2018.
"He had his opportunity last year and let it go," Queensland assistant Justin Hodges said of Wallace before the game.
"That's what happens in Origin football, you miss those moments because the game goes so quickly but he understands he has another chance now."
However Wallace missed an opportunity to silence his knockers when he made just 50m off the bench.
To make matters worse, Wallace was put on report for tackling the legs of playmaker James Maloney as he kicked in the 49th minute.
Wallace came under fire for his displays as starting prop last year, managing just 52m in game one and 43m in Origin II before he produced 82m after being relegated to the bench for the dead rubber.
Strong recent form for the Titans and injuries to prop Jai Arrow (ankle) and bench forward Joe Ofahengaue (knee) opened the door for an Origin recall.
However, Wallace may battle to get another chance with Ofahengaue set to be fit for game three in Sydney on July 10.
Wallace was not the only Maroons forward ruing their chance after NSW monstered Queensland through the middle on a rain hit Sunday night.
Overall backrower Felise Kaufusi (102m) was the only Maroons forward to make more than 100m in the match.
For NSW, four forwards made triple figures.
Remarkably the Blues ran a total of 1736m compared to Queensland's 989m.
The Maroons' forwards' cause wasn't helped by fiery starting prop Dylan Napa failing to return to the field in the second half after making just 28m.
Napa overcame a broken wrist to play game two.
"I got through the start of the game. Obviously I would have liked to have got back out there, but it wasn't to be," Napa said.
Australian Associated Press
