Wallace fires back at Campbell-Gillard

Jarrod Wallace has returned serve to NSW prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and warned he will get found out if he doesn’t back up his talk with actions on Wednesday night at the MCG.

The Maroons front-rower was asked what he made of his NSW rival’s comments that he was looking forward to "killing some blokes" in the Holden State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.

Wallace said he and starting prop Dylan Napa would be up to the challenge of matching the Penrith firebrand on the field.

"It is a huge challenge and he will go alright for NSW. He deserves to get that jersey ... but hopefully me and Napa do a better job," Wallace said.

"NSW always do that. They always come out in game one and [say] it is going to be a 3-0 whitewash. There is always someone sledging, but at the end of the day Queensland always have the last laugh.

"He can’t talk on the field too much next week. He will get found out if that's all it is, so we will see how he goes."

Wallace issued another warning when asked whether he would have to be careful not to cross the line with his own response to the Blues' stated intentions.

"It is Origin. There is no line in Origin," he said. 

"With the new dynasty of players in both teams I think it is going to be, not a bloodbath, but there will be a lot of energy and big boys going hard at each other.

"There will be a lot of aggression and emotion and new guys trying to make a real stamp and making sure they are there for game two. The first 10 minutes of Origin is always hectic and fast and I wouldn't expect anything different."

Wallace is determined to honour the props of the past, who wore the Maroons jersey with pride.

"They have always been worn by players I've looked up to," he said.

"[Shane] Webcke was my favourite, big Petero [Civoniceva] was outstanding and to take it off Nate Myles was a huge honour and a huge achievement for me.

"I want to make sure every time I pull the jersey on, if they were to come up to me off the field they would shake my hand and say they were proud. I want to wear the jersey to the best of my ability and not let anyone down."

He suggested he would be up to doing his own impersonation of Captain America, like his idol.

"I remember this one video, I can't remember the exact game, but Webcke caught the kick in the in-goal and there were these NSW guys coming flying at him and they were bouncing everywhere, it was like Captain America stuff," he said,

"I was sitting there thinking I want to do that one day. I was seven or eight years old. I knew then I wanted that jersey and to be in that position." 

Wallace said he and Napa stood up against David Klemmer and Aaron Woods last year and were ready to do so again.

“Nothing changes for us. We will play the game to the best of our ability and if we are doing that, we will be sweet,” he said.

“Depending on how much time I get, I want at least 100 metres with 20 tackles and no misses, just effective good tackles. If I can get 20-25 tackles and get my 100 metres I am happy."

Wallace's ankle was wrapped in ice but he said it was no big deal.

"It's just a precautionary thing," he said. "I hurt it before pre-season and I make sure it is OK after every session."

Witness Australia's greatest sporting rivalry when Origin comes to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, June 6. Bronze tickets available from $49 HERE!