The Brisbane Broncos' Alex Glenn says the Gold Coast Titans' Ryan James reminds him of Gorden Tallis Titans prop Ryan James is impressing the critics through the opening of the 2013 season. KIWI international Alex Glenn rates rival NRL back-row giant Ryan James a NSW State of Origin player-in-waiting in a physical Gold Coast pack determined to smash through Brisbane at Skilled Park on Friday night. James, a 194cm, 115kg Bilambil Jets junior, is attracting the attention of many as he continues building a powerhouse running game which first earned him All Star recognition in 2011. James, who scored his first try in his 24th NRL game against Manly last month, recently said in he wanted to play the game like Gorden Tallis. Glenn can see see a bit of Tallis in the raw-boned James who has already entered NSW State of Origin discussions on the back of some big performances for the in-form Titans. "The size of him for a young man ... that's something I'm jealous of," said Glenn, whose back-row combination with Matt Gillett and Corey Parker has been Brisbane's glue so far this season. With Birdy (Greg Bird) and (Ashley) Harrison and the other Origin boys like Nate Myles, all he needs is some guidance and I'm sure he will play Origin at some stage. He crashes a lot of lines and gets some quick play the balls, that's his job and he's doing it really well. The Titans forwards have been providing new halves Albert Kelly and Aidan Sezer with time and space to bring their outside backs into the game and Glenn said the onus was on Brisbane's pack to meet the challenge on Friday night. "It's definitely going to be a very physical battle up the middle," he said. They've got a massive forward pack. Our forwards really have to step up to the table. It's going to be aggressive and they get a lot of momentum off their big boys. If we can shut them down it will take some of the strike out of them. Both sides have players facing late fitness checks with Brisbane winger Josh Hoffman (achilles bruising), teammate Justin Hodges (hamstring) and Titans lock Harrison (concussion) all expected to take part in the local derby. While the Titans will be chasing their fourth win on the trot, Brisbane are already under heavy pressure to halt a two-game losing streak before facing an equally desperate North Queensland next weekend.