PETER WALLACE lost his chance to earn a debut State of Origin call-up during last Friday week's game against Melbourne, says his teammate and the game's best playmaker, Darren Lockyer.
While Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett endorsed Wallace for the NSW halfback role after another solid performance by the rookie in yesterday's win over Newcastle, Lockyer said selectors would judge him on his effectiveness against the reigning premiers, given it is the closest marker to an Origin match.
And unfortunately for Wallace - one of the leading contenders for the Blues No.7 jersey - both his and Brisbane's form disappeared as they were hammered 28-8 by the Storm.
"Last week was a tough game for us, Melbourne are a bit of a yardstick in the competition and that is the sort of game you've got to play well in," Lockyer told the Herald.
"Those are the games you are assessed on because it's another step up and it's a big environment.
"We put in a poor performance and that will count against [Wallace]. He is doing everything right with us, he is definitely learning but there is still room for him to learn more."
This is one of the few times Lockyer and his coach have disagreed. After Brisbane's 34-22 victory at a rain-soaked EnergyAustralia Stadium, Bennett gave Wallace the thumbs up as a capable Blues linchpin.
"It is a big occasion, he is old enough and mature enough to handle that," Bennett said.
Wallace, 22, said he was trying his best not to let the commotion distract him from performing at club level.
"If I get the chance I will take it with two hands. It is a massive game. To be honest, I haven't thought about it too much," the former Penrith player said. "You hear it a bit … a couple of bad games and you fall out of favour, so you've just got to keep turning up each week and try to play consistent footy.
"It's good to get your name mentioned, but you can't do much about, you've just got to get out there each week and play the game. Last year I was down there [at Penrith] playing a bit of five-eighth. To come up here and get a good start to the season, I sort of didn't expect [to be considered an Origin prospect]."
Wallace believes he is a far superior player to the one who left the foot of the Blue Mountains last year, and said Lockyer's absence with a knee injury had helped him become a better organiser.
"I've really improved how I'm playing, my direction … it's been a massive thing," Wallace said.
"I suppose [Lockyer's absence] got me into the contest a bit early, into the game. I had to steer the team around a bit by myself so I suppose that helped me in a way - but I'd love to have him out there with me."
Another candidate for the Blues halfback job, Newcastle's Kurt Gidley, was outstanding for the beaten team yesterday.
Gidley played in his usual position of fullback but also spent time at first receiver and scored two brilliant solo tries from distributing positions.
First he glided across the field after receiving the ball two wide from a scrum and simply ran around Brisbane's defence to touch down in the corner.
In the second half, playing as a halfback, Gidley held the ball out with both hands and looked set to pass before sharply stepping inside and running through a hole to score next to the posts.
"He is an excellent player," Knights coach Brian Smith said. "He sets really high standards and is very consistent."
Gidley, who made his Test and Origin debuts last year as a utility, said it would be satisfying to get a run-on start in either position.
"I enjoy a good mix of it at club level, I enjoyed today playing fullback and doing a bit of ball-playing when I can," he said. "It took a bit of pressure off [halves Scott Dureau and Chris Bailey]."
Gidley will likely start at halfback next weekend, with Dureau suffering ankle and hip damage and in doubt for Sunday's clash against the Roosters, meaning Gidley could line up against another Blues halfback contender in Mitchell Pearce.
