Helpless - it's not exactly the first word that comes to mind when thinking of giant South Sydney backrower David Taylor.

But the 120kg, 187cm human wrecking ball admits that is how he felt as he sat on the Queensland bench for State of Origin I.

At first, Taylor thought it was a compliment to be named 18th man for Queensland, chuffed in the knowledge he was in the Maroons mix.

However, the buzz from being involved in an Origin camp quickly wore off as he sat down amongst the playing side at Suncorp Stadium on May 25.

Not being able to play tore him inside as NSW came back from the dead to lead 12-10, only for Queensland to launch yet another comeback and ice the match 16-12.

Taylor was elated with the win - but he never wanted to be in that position again.

"The good side of being 18th man was knowing I was so close to being picked but the bad bit was sitting on the bench watching the boys play - I felt a bit helpless," Taylor said.

"I knew then I had to go away and do everything right to try and get back into the side."

Yet Taylor, 22, had known for some time what he had to do to get back into the Queensland side that he had helped sweep the 2010 series.

He had been criticised in the past for a relative lack of involvement for Souths - most notably by ex-Queensland great and current Rabbitohs assistant coach Gorden Tallis.

While respectful of Tallis, Taylor said a few choice words from Queensland coach Mal Meninga helped him focus after game one.

Two NRL blinders later and Taylor found himself replacing Jacob Lillyman on the Maroons bench for June 15's Origin II in Sydney.

"I know Gordie pretty well and he has come to me and told me a few things," Taylor said.

"He definitely didn't just go through the media to try and spur me on.

"And I listened to the advice Mal gave me.

"One of them was `try and find more work', not wait for it to come to me.

"I worked hard both on and off the field - the advice I have taken is definitely paying off.

"I definitely know what I need to do in games now - now I have to go away and prepare mentally and make sure I have the right attitude come Wednesday."

Meninga was almost licking his lips at the thought of the damage Taylor would cause on Queensland's left edge next week.

"He's a big chap - we have certainly got size on our side," he smiled.

"He has shown selectors he wants to be back in the footy side.

"He has done what has been asked of him and more.

"He will be an X factor for us."

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