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QUEENSLAND greats believe NSW's teetering Origin hopes hinge on sending an SOS to Broncos halfback Peter Wallace after Jarryd Hayne's five-eighth experiment backfired.
With NSW limping towards another Origin series as huge underdogs, Wallace missed Sunday's City-Country clash with a groin injury.
But Hayne's insipid performance in the City No.6 alongside incumbent NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce has again opened the door for the in-form Bronco.
Former NSW halfback Brett Kimmorley yesterday wrote off Hayne (left) as an Origin playmaker. Wallace can advance his claims if he out-points former Maroon rival Scott Prince in his anticipated return against the Titans on Friday night.
Originally considered on the outer, Pearce appears safe as NSW's No.7 after his commanding display in City's 24-22 defeat of Country in Mudgee.
But with even Hayne admitting he failed to impress selectors, the five-eighth spot is wide open.
Maroon legends are adamant Wallace's three-year interstate exile must come to an end.
"If they won't pick Jamie Soward (NSW five-eighth last year), I would have to put Peter Wallace in there, because I know what I'm going to get with him," former Maroons firebrand Gorden Tallis said.
"Personally if I was with NSW I'd have Mitchell Pearce at halfback because they built on him last year and Ricky Stuart (NSW coach) has a high opinion of him.
"But Wallace is a tough player.
"The Broncos are up there in the competition, there is a lot of pressure on Wallace (without Darren Lockyer), yet they haven't skipped a beat. They keep jumping over every hurdle and Wallace has been the architect."
It was widely believed Wallace's Origin days were over when he was axed after the 2009 series loss, but Queensland five-eighth legend Wally Lewis said he deserved a recall.
"I thought he was up front in the running after his performances for the Broncos," Lewis said.
"At the very least it makes the NSW selectors feel comfortable that if they want to use Hayne somewhere else Wallace is there.
"His creativity is a lot more scheduled, he knows what he is going to do . . .
"Based on consistency you'd have to go for Wallace."
Former NSW and Australian halfback Kimmorley is not convinced Hayne is more potent at five-eighth than fullback.
"I don't think he can be the Origin five-eighth," he said. "His body at the moment is maybe not even up to playing rep footy."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...hayne-experiment/story-e6frepbx-1226336571404
With NSW limping towards another Origin series as huge underdogs, Wallace missed Sunday's City-Country clash with a groin injury.
But Hayne's insipid performance in the City No.6 alongside incumbent NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce has again opened the door for the in-form Bronco.
Former NSW halfback Brett Kimmorley yesterday wrote off Hayne (left) as an Origin playmaker. Wallace can advance his claims if he out-points former Maroon rival Scott Prince in his anticipated return against the Titans on Friday night.
Originally considered on the outer, Pearce appears safe as NSW's No.7 after his commanding display in City's 24-22 defeat of Country in Mudgee.
But with even Hayne admitting he failed to impress selectors, the five-eighth spot is wide open.
Maroon legends are adamant Wallace's three-year interstate exile must come to an end.
"If they won't pick Jamie Soward (NSW five-eighth last year), I would have to put Peter Wallace in there, because I know what I'm going to get with him," former Maroons firebrand Gorden Tallis said.
"Personally if I was with NSW I'd have Mitchell Pearce at halfback because they built on him last year and Ricky Stuart (NSW coach) has a high opinion of him.
"But Wallace is a tough player.
"The Broncos are up there in the competition, there is a lot of pressure on Wallace (without Darren Lockyer), yet they haven't skipped a beat. They keep jumping over every hurdle and Wallace has been the architect."
It was widely believed Wallace's Origin days were over when he was axed after the 2009 series loss, but Queensland five-eighth legend Wally Lewis said he deserved a recall.
"I thought he was up front in the running after his performances for the Broncos," Lewis said.
"At the very least it makes the NSW selectors feel comfortable that if they want to use Hayne somewhere else Wallace is there.
"His creativity is a lot more scheduled, he knows what he is going to do . . .
"Based on consistency you'd have to go for Wallace."
Former NSW and Australian halfback Kimmorley is not convinced Hayne is more potent at five-eighth than fullback.
"I don't think he can be the Origin five-eighth," he said. "His body at the moment is maybe not even up to playing rep footy."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...hayne-experiment/story-e6frepbx-1226336571404
