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Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
NSW Origin whipping boy Mitchell Pearce up for the challenge
James Hooper
Daily Telegraph
21/4/2013 12:00am
Mitchell Pearce has been locked in as the long-term NSW halfback. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
MITCHELL Pearce has heard it all before. NSW will never win an Origin series while he's the halfback. Adam Reynolds should be the Blues No. 7.
And the loudest criticism this year - Laurie Daley is kidding himself by declaring Pearce the Blues playmaker to end Queensland's seven straight series victories.
On face value, Pearce's Origin numbers - nine starts for two wins - don't make great reading. And the Blues' lack of repeat sets cost them dearly.
But when you consider what he has been up against, taking on the greatest Queensland Origin side of all-time, it's easy to understand why Daley is backing Pearce.
Today, Pearce will watch South Sydney tyro Reynolds continue to ramp up pressure on the Blues No. 7 when he auditions for City against Country in Coffs Harbour.
After Reynolds got the nod when Pearce was ruled out with a calf injury, the Roosters halfback toldThe Sunday Telegraph there was no way he considered himself an automatic selection for the Blues.
"Of course, I hear it all. There are always going to be critics until NSW win. It's time to win, I think," Pearce said.
"If the coach and the selectors want to look elsewhere, they'll look elsewhere. That's out of my control. But obviously I really want to be there to try to help the team.
"I don't think I've played bad in Origin, but, I'll be honest, my memories aren't great. When you're not winning games and you come out and get bagged a lot, it's not the happiest place in the world.
"It goes with the territory. Some games I've played, I've been really happy with, but obviously last year our kicking game came into question a lot.
"That's an area I've been working hard on."
Despite Daley openly declaring he was wary of burning out South Sydney's Reynolds by tossing him into the Origin cauldron too early, Pearce understands how close his arch-rival No. 7 is nipping at his heels.
"It was nice to hear that (Daley's guarantee for Pearce), but not for a minute do I think I'm in the side," Pearce said.
"Adam Reynolds is a great player, I love watching him play. His kicking game's been outstanding this year and I'm sure if he's not there now, he'll be there very soon. There's definitely some competition around, as there is for five-eighth and front-rowers."
The argument for Pearce's inclusion is how battle-hardened he has become at Origin level and how close the Blues were to winning last year. At 24, he's played the last two series straight and has repeatedly shown he isn't going to be intimidated by Sam Thaiday, or any of the Maroons forwards.
At the Roosters this season, he has looked a completely different player working both sides of the field with new halves partner James Maloney.
And with Todd Carney still sidelined with a footy injury, Maloney is continuing to firm as his alternative five-eighth option for Origin.
"I think he would handle it, for sure. He doesn't lack confidence and he's got that personality where nothing fazes him," Pearce said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...or-the-challenge/story-e6frexv9-1226625049225
James Hooper
Daily Telegraph
21/4/2013 12:00am
Mitchell Pearce has been locked in as the long-term NSW halfback. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
MITCHELL Pearce has heard it all before. NSW will never win an Origin series while he's the halfback. Adam Reynolds should be the Blues No. 7.
And the loudest criticism this year - Laurie Daley is kidding himself by declaring Pearce the Blues playmaker to end Queensland's seven straight series victories.
On face value, Pearce's Origin numbers - nine starts for two wins - don't make great reading. And the Blues' lack of repeat sets cost them dearly.
But when you consider what he has been up against, taking on the greatest Queensland Origin side of all-time, it's easy to understand why Daley is backing Pearce.
Today, Pearce will watch South Sydney tyro Reynolds continue to ramp up pressure on the Blues No. 7 when he auditions for City against Country in Coffs Harbour.
After Reynolds got the nod when Pearce was ruled out with a calf injury, the Roosters halfback toldThe Sunday Telegraph there was no way he considered himself an automatic selection for the Blues.
"Of course, I hear it all. There are always going to be critics until NSW win. It's time to win, I think," Pearce said.
"If the coach and the selectors want to look elsewhere, they'll look elsewhere. That's out of my control. But obviously I really want to be there to try to help the team.
"I don't think I've played bad in Origin, but, I'll be honest, my memories aren't great. When you're not winning games and you come out and get bagged a lot, it's not the happiest place in the world.
"It goes with the territory. Some games I've played, I've been really happy with, but obviously last year our kicking game came into question a lot.
"That's an area I've been working hard on."
Despite Daley openly declaring he was wary of burning out South Sydney's Reynolds by tossing him into the Origin cauldron too early, Pearce understands how close his arch-rival No. 7 is nipping at his heels.
"It was nice to hear that (Daley's guarantee for Pearce), but not for a minute do I think I'm in the side," Pearce said.
"Adam Reynolds is a great player, I love watching him play. His kicking game's been outstanding this year and I'm sure if he's not there now, he'll be there very soon. There's definitely some competition around, as there is for five-eighth and front-rowers."
The argument for Pearce's inclusion is how battle-hardened he has become at Origin level and how close the Blues were to winning last year. At 24, he's played the last two series straight and has repeatedly shown he isn't going to be intimidated by Sam Thaiday, or any of the Maroons forwards.
At the Roosters this season, he has looked a completely different player working both sides of the field with new halves partner James Maloney.
And with Todd Carney still sidelined with a footy injury, Maloney is continuing to firm as his alternative five-eighth option for Origin.
"I think he would handle it, for sure. He doesn't lack confidence and he's got that personality where nothing fazes him," Pearce said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...or-the-challenge/story-e6frexv9-1226625049225
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i have to agree with you, although i hate him he's gonna be picked no matter what so we just have to accept it, plus it'll be great when he gets picked, shows how much he sucks then Dailey will finally come to his senses and drop him for once.
