Daley insists Pearce will be NSW halfback

NSW Blues Team 2013 1. Brett, Stewart 2. Nathan, Merritt 3. Michael, Jennings 4. Josh, Morris 5. Brett, Morris 6. James, Maloney 7. Adam, Reynolds 8. Tim, Grant 9. Robbie, Farrah 10. James, Tamou 11. Greg, Bird 12. Glenn, Stewart 13. Paul, Gallen 14. Luke, Lewis 15. Ryan, Hoffman 16. Aaron, Woods 17. Anthony, Watmough 18. Jarred, Hayne I believe that Reynolds is ready as he shows all the signs of a matured and SOO worthy halfback, also Maloney has shown great from and has a destructive running game, as he takes on the line, which most halfbacks don’t do these day.I believe Maloney and Farrah would complement each other with the styles of playing and that Reynolds would be able to set up B. Stewart giving either Jennings or Merritt the opportunity to finish the play and make their way over the line to score points.

Seriously pick Pearce again... A half who offers no attacking structure or shape, who has one play a inside ball what is read all day by the opposition even worse he's kicking game has the Qld back 3 licking their lips. Qld 8 in a row with this guy @ 7, typical NSW boys club strike again. The excuse is Reynolds is not ready, there's no one else and he is a good defender. Like you are going to beat te current Qld team by defence.

Good try Maroon Blood, but I'm not falling for it. You QLD'ers are licking your lips and loving it that Pearce is going to be halfback. You don't have to worry about 40-20's, repeat sets, individual brilliance and great Origin plays from the NSW halfback Mitch Pearce.

Eagle Jack, you've seen to have a short memory and have forgotten Adam Reynolds schooled Mitch Pearce Rd1. Mitch Pearce has had plenty of opportunities in origin and has failed every time. Souths structure works great and Adam Reynolds plays to that structure. But has shown he can take the line on and come up with big plays when needed ie Country game. Mitch Pearce can't do either, game 3 showed that last year. As for Mitch Pearce's rapport with Carney and Maloney. It's simple, he just gives them the ball or let them run the show and come up with the big plays. And they did. Go back to when there was no Carney or Maloney at the Roosters. They came Last, because it was on Mitch Pearce to do his job and he didn't.

Read my previous post, the latter part of it, and you will see how foolish your generalisation sounds. What all REAL League supporters want is to see a contest and, unless one side shows up hungover, there will be three real contests this year, make no mistake. Remains to be seen if the two Sydney games are sellouts or if the Sydney non-attendance malaise will spread to the so-called Blues (rhymes with "lose", just noticed that) faithful actually show up and supporting their team......despite being certified, card-carrying, dyed in the wool, seven series in-a-row LOSERS!

You Maroons will make us look like ametures in the whinging stakes when we win this year and seriously, u still dont think Hodges and Inglisses trys were trys do you ? Unfortunatley we cant use that he shouldnt be playng card anymore since we recruted Tamaou.

1,Stewart, 2,Hayne 3,Jennings 4,J.Morris 5,B.Morris 6, Carney 7,Pearce 8, Tamo 9,Farrer 10,Grant 11 Watough 12,G.Stewart 13, Gallen 14, Lewis 15,Merrin 16,Woods 17, Gidley

The total lack of whining from the NSWailers over the last seven years has been amazing. No cries of "it wasn't a try" or "half your players shouldn't be playing for you" or anything. True sportsmanship all the way.

Its not like QLD has been flogging the Blues. The truth is that they have basicaly been togethe for 7 years and in any close contest the team that has been playing together for as long as they have should win. But we are getting closer and i think we will win this year and watch out then for the whinging maroons who have always been the spoilt cry bab little brother when they dont get their own way.

One of the big differences between Qld and NSW throughout Origin is that Qld show faith in their players. Obviously this has been easy in the last seven years but they have also done this through the lean years, sometimes even picking players from reserve grade on loyalty alone. Perhaps Daley is trying to tap into this mentality. Everyone seems to be bagging Pearce as a losing halfback, and fair enough I guess, but it is pertinent that he was part of the Blues TEAM that very, very nearly won last years series. Actually, being totally unbiased, they SHOULD have won the series. If I was Laurie Daley, I would be looking at last years series, looking at a dodgy Hodges try in game three and a blatant Inglis no-try in game one and realise that the Blues AREN'T broken and don't need to be fixed. They just needed a touch more rub of the green to go their way. The selectors have been lambasted in recent times for the chopping and changing of the halves: Pearce, Soward, Mullen, Wallace, Campese, Carney......it has to stop somewhere. For the sake of Origin, I sincerely hope (oh boy, this really HURTS to say this) the Blues get up this year. Pearce may not be the most talented or in-form halfback in NSW but he is a solid Origin player, also still a young one at that, and the NSW selectors, for once, are showing loyalty and it just may work.

Just remember though, that was in a losing side. Although those are good points, at the end of the day it's a team sport and all that is wanted are wins on the board.

By him i mean Reynolds.

Agree with you here Ecka. Im not sure of the reasoning behind Daley's announcement. But I can understand his reasoning in saying Reynolds is not ready. The truth is for the first time in years we have a genuine halfback available for selection in Reynolds. I think the kid will be a cracker and definite long term option for the Blues. Pearce has been selected for years simply because we have not had another option. Wallace, Mullen, Walsh have all been ok in patches but ordinary overall. But to be fair to Pearce, at 24, he is coming of age as a mature leader around the park. He has a great combination with both Carney or Maloney. Ill be more than happy to see him take the field for the Blues. But if they did select Reynolds for Game I this year I would back him 100%. He cetainly has the talent.

All the comments ive heard have some basis, but it all could've been avoided if Daley had played his cards close to his chest. Regardless of whether Pearce was always going be picked, it shouldn't have been broadcast to the world so early. Perhaps Daley was trying give supporters what we crave...information...give us a sniff and we want more. It more than likely would't have come as a surprise, but as a fan it would create a bit of mystery in the lead-up and have us buzzing just as much. The difference would be, that rather than having divided opinions, split between negative and positive, the negativity would be diminished because of the possibility of Pearce not gaining selection. All those who think we're doomed from the outset would think more positively. Lets face it, after such a losing streak, we should cling to everything that brings a positive mindset, for Blues fans like myself hoping to see an end to the woes, and players like Adam Reynolds at the hope of being given a shot. It must be dis-heartening to know weeks out from the event that your only hope is through someone else's misfortune by way of injury.

Yes Reynolds set up a try when the game was over. Completely outplayed by Cronk who will school him at Origin level. Not to mention it will be the first time he has played in front of a crowd of 83,000 and millions on TV. He couldn't win the game for his side in front of 30,000 Souths fans at home, with a handful of Storm fans. I don't think he is up to it. Not yet as I have said previously. If you watch the Souths structure it is actually Sutton who controls the team in the opposition 22m. On the other side Pearce often calls for the ball 3 times in the set when in the oppositions 22m. He has a raport with both Maloney and Carney who are fighting it out for the 6 jersey. Combinations can't be discounted at this level. Reynolds kicking game is superior. No doubt about that. But the Maroons will ambush him in attack and put untold pressure on him which he has never experienced. Another year in the NRL, competing against the best week in, week out and I will change my tune on him. He is not ready.

Last game I saw Pearce play was on TV. He missed three tackles in a row. So to me he is not playing well at all.

Eagle jack let me explain to you what the majority of League supporters have been saying. 1st, last week v's Storm Adam Reynolds didn't go missing. He set up a try and created pressure my getting repeat sets. And yes he was outplayed by Cronk, as was Thurston recently. 2nd, v's Country he scored a great a try off his own kick, kicked 2 40-20's and created line breaks off his great passing game. All these skills are non existent of Mitch Pearce, never have been and never will be. 3rdly, yes Mitchell Pearce hasn't been playing like rubbish this year. But he's just been doing enough to get a pass mark every game. And that describes Mitchell Pearce to a tee. Average. And lastly, yes NSW was close last year. But it had nothing to do with Mitchell Pearce's average ability as a footballer. And it won't again this year.

Let's see how Reynolds goes against Manly this w/end. Last year he was so quiet against them I honestly thought he went off injured. Everytime Reynolds comes up against decent opposition he goes missing (Cronk gave him a schooling last week), People are glorifying his ability. I don't want him in Origin. Not yet anyway. If Cronk missed the field goal last year and NSW went onto win, everybody would be saying to keep the same halves. One point was the difference in game 3 (5 points overall in the series) and people want to tinker with a key position and throw an unproven player at NRL level into Origin? If Pearce was playing like rubbish this year then I could understand it. But he isn't. He is playing very well. You don't get rid of an incumbent for a player who is playing at the same level.

Thank god for NSW- when you need them to stuff up- they stuff up. Typical comments from somebody cow towing to other interests. Stand for something Daley. Take a chance. Pearce is vanilla- has been and always will be. Good player but will NEVER play for Australia. Thats limited upside by definition. He has been a part of all these losing campaigns of the last 3 years. TRANSLATION : change it up. Ricky Stuart (who I cannot stand) got close last year by applying hard headed mantra- which is good for a 3 game series but does not work long term. At least he failed running full speed into walls. This is Daley playing stupid politics. He will fail -miserably, and with comments like this-he deserves everything that is coming his way. Weak

You mean he deserves a 10th go!