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It’s baffling that New South Wales Blues coach Laurie Daley has guaranteed Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce the number 7 jersey for the 2013 State of Origin series.
Origin I will be played at ANZ Stadium in Homebush on June 5th, yet debutant coach Daley anointed Pearce as his halfback before the NRL season had even kicked off.
For those counting at home, that’s over twelve weeks before the opening game of the series.
So over three months out before the opening Origin game, and before even a second of NRL football had been played, the Blues had already selected their starting halfback. Does anyone else think this is complete madness?
If this was the Queensland Maroons, it would make sense. When you win seven series in a row, its safe to assume that your halfback will get the nod again.
But we’re talking about New South Wales; a team in the midst of a record setting succession of losses. Surely no one’s position should be guaranteed when you’ve lost seven series in a row?
Yet what I find most baffling about this decision is that it’s Mitchell Pearce getting the royal treatment.
If it was Andrew Johns, no one would bat an eyelid, for he would deservingly be an automatic selection anyway.
Pearce has played in four losing Origin campaigns, never won an Origin series, and hasn’t exactly set the world on fire at state level.
Paul Gallen guaranteed an Origin spot? Few could argue with that. The man has been colossal for the Blues, and has turned in some of the most remarkable and memorable Origin performances of all time.
Regardless of his form at club level, Jarryd Hayne has always produced for NSW. He strikes fear into the heart of every Queenslander, and has earned the right to receive a sky blue jumper every representative season.
I could easily be talked into Robbie Farah joining Gallen and Hayne based on his superb 2012 series, but even then, I tend to think he probably needs more than one great series under his belt before he receives ‘automatic selection’ status.
Unfortunately, after those three players, no other Blue should be ‘guaranteed’ a position.
Especially Mitchell Pearce.
This is what I wrote at the conclusion of the 2012 State of Origin series:
“You’d have to think Mitchell Pearce would be at long odds to get another shot at Origin next year.
“All series long, in the most important position on the park, Pearce offered little in attack. He rarely threatened the line, had no dynamism or subtlety with his passing, and his kicking lacked variety, skill and precision.
“In fact, it was interesting to notice the Blues utilise different kickers in attack last night, particularly Robbie Farah and Jarryd Hayne. What does it say about your halfback when the hooker and winger are preferred options with the boot?
Pearce supporters point to his defence when they argue his case for selection. However, he missed plenty of tackles in this series, and none were more costly than his miss on Johnathan Thurston in the first half, which led to a crucial Maroons try seconds later.
“Despite never really nailing down his spot, Pearce has played halfback for the Blues since game three in 2008. And yet he is still to guide his team to a series win.
While the reason for the Blues lack of success cannot be attributed to just one player, Pearce can’t continue to be given a free ride in the number seven jersey when his performances for NSW do not warrant it.”
Unfortunately, it seems the lessons from last year have gone unheeded.
The need for loyalty and continuity are simply not valid arguments. Surely that loyalty has to be earned?
When it comes to continuity, Albert Einstein is sometimes quoted as saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.
Perhaps that’s why I used the word ‘madness’ earlier.
If Pearce started this season strongly, with his performances demanding that he be selected, I could somewhat understand him getting another crack at Queensland. However, he was anointed before the season had even begun and any sense of form could be adjudicated upon.
Apart from the lunacy of selecting a previously underperforming player before the season has even started, there is also the concern of what message it sends.
To every other eligible halfback, it suggests their form is irrelevant, as the position has been selected already.
To Mitchell Pearce, it tells him that he is the Golden Child, and that his below average performances so far at Origin level are acceptable.
Yep, that sounds like the recipe to beat the Maroons.