All signs point to a Queensland debut for Jarrod Wallace in State of Origin II but the Gold Coast NRL prop insists he is not getting his hopes up.
He admitted he wanted the Maroons' jersey more than ever after being part in Queensland's Origin I camp on the Gold Coast as 18th man.
And it seems the stage is set for Wallace to be blooded in June 21's game two in Sydney, with Queensland coach Kevin Walters admitting changes must be made after their record 28-4 Origin I loss.
Wallace is in the mix to replace out-of-form 32-Origin veteran Nate Myles who had also suffered an elbow injury last week in Queensland's worst Origin defeat at Suncorp Stadium.
The Maroons' game-two squad will be named on Monday.
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However, Wallace is trying not to believe the hype ahead of Gold Coast's NRL clash on Saturday with the Warriors.
"I just kind of not read anything into it," he said.
"I know if I play well for the Titans, it will put me on the front foot for Origin.
"But I don't think you can be ever too confident of an Origin call-up.
"If I get the phone call, I will be happy but, if I don't, that's the way the cookie crumbles."
Wallace backed himself to take the step up to Origin - especially after witnessing NSW's clinical game-one win up close and personal.
As 18th man, Wallace cut a frustrated figure watching from the sidelines as the Blues steamrolled the Maroons' pack in the five-tries-to- one win.
"After being in camp with them all week, I want that jersey more than anything," Wallace said.
"It was a bit of fun at camp and so was the warm-up with the boys - I think it was the quickest I have been dressed and ready to go.
"But it was hard to watch the boys get beaten like that.
"If I get the call (from Queensland selectors), I will definitely be ready to go."
