James on the rise for Titans

Gold Coast may be struggling to find NRL wins but that’s certainly not the fault of back-rower Ryan James.

The 23-year-old has put an injury-marred 2014 behind him with an encouraging start to this season.

James not only scored his second try in five games in Friday’s 26-16 loss to Brisbane at CBUS Super Stadium but he notched a game-high 171 metres from 19 runs.

It’s a continuation of the form which has some thinking he could sneak into the frame as a bolter for Laurie Daley’s NSW side in this year’s State of Origin campaign.

Titans skipper Nate Myles says James has all the potential to be a representative player, although he knows his teammate is sick of people only discussing what he could be.

“Ryan himself is the one that’s a little bit over talking about what he can do and he just wants to do it now,” Myles said.

“He’s on his way.

“He’s a big solid fella and definitely can play a few different positions. I only wish the best for him but he’ll be on the other side (in Origin) too.”

James himself says his personal form means little with the team sitting 1-4 after the loss to the Broncos.

His hard-running achievements with ball in hand aren’t fooling him that there are elements of his game which can improve as well.

“Losing’s never satisfying. We can always be better so there’s definitely a couple parts of my game I can work on in defence,” James told AAP.

“Kane Elgey saved me a couple of times in defence which is a little bit different, a halfback saving a second-rower but we just need to learn how to build pressure.

“I’ll be a lot happier when the team starts winning.

“We’re not far off being three from five. We lost two really tight ones at home and I just hope we can win some playing good footy at home.”

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