No rugby league player polarises opinion quite like New South Wales playmaker Mitchell Pearce and despite his detractors, the 24 year-old heads into yet another State of Origin clash next Wednesday night.
Some say that this could be his last match in the sky blue if NSW are beaten in an eighth consecutive series at ANZ Stadium and you can very easily argue that Pearce has had more than a chance to cement his legacy and lead the Blues to victory.
The Sydney Rooster agreed with public sentiment telling The Daily Telegraph yesterday that if he didn’t perform he would be out the door for 2014 and beyond.
“I’ve got to win, full stop,” Pearce said.
“If I don’t win, I’ve got no doubt that I won’t be there. There are other guys knocking on the door and they (selectors) will probably go another way (next year), which is even more reason to win the game.”
That man knocking is undoubtedly young South Sydney Rabbitohs wiz Adam Reynolds.
The Rabbitohs are rocking along and after seventeen rounds of the competition there is no team looking better than the boys from Redfern. Much of Souths’ success can be attributed to the little number seven.
Reynolds has been phenomenal and cannot be ignored any longer. Despite a long line of superstars and dominant personalities, Reynolds has become the linchpin at the Rabbitohs.
Pearce has long been criticised for his kicking game in big matches.
The polar opposite has been Reynolds. A halfback who has a feel for the game similar to that of legendary Brisbane Broncos captain Allan Langer.
He plays the game like all great halfbacks should.
“I’m confident in my own game,” Pearce continued.
“I have my trademarks that I play best at. It’s a matter of sticking to those under pressure in the game and if we can get 13 guys doing that, we’ll go close to winning.”
While Pearce is good in a structured environment, Reynolds has proved he can roll with the punches and still come out looking a million bucks. Only last Sunday the little Rabbitoh setup a try for Andrew Everingham that had the crowd in Perth on their feet.
Early in the match a wayward pass was shot out to Reynolds who instinctively and nonchalantly booted the ball over the defensive line and into the waiting arms of his winger.
How many other halfbacks could have pulled that off?
So what if the Rabbitohs continue on their merry way, secure the minor premiership and go on to win the title?
Will it matter if Pearce and the Blues come out victorious next Wednesday night?
Picking Pearce for the 2013 series was probably the right choice and Laurie Daley was well within his rights to hold off on picking Reynolds. But it is only a matter of time before the diminutive halfback gets his chance.
Imagine how good Reynolds will be after a finals series, a possible grand final and even a tour of Europe with the Australian World Cup squad?
Whether the Blues win or loss next week has little bearing on what happens next season.
You have to wonder if Daley hasn’t already penciled Reynolds in for 2014.
Jake
Guest
Couldn't you say the same thing about hanging Mitchell Pearce? No-one was bitching about him after game one -- meanwhile, everyone in the media and down at Redfern was calling for Merritt to get a start (for the past 10 years mind you). How did that turn out? Mitchell has been picked by people more knowledgable than this writer, myself and any fan -- those same fans who called for Merritt, who finally got his moment thanks to there being no-one else.
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
no he has good vision and is developing a running game. Also repeat sets is where the blues have lacked most over the last few years
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
If u think pearce was a bad idea, we have now picked McManus. Even by game two he wasn't even in the running for a jumper then he scores 4 tries in one game and Daley picks him. Didn't they learn with Merritt that just cause u can score tries doesn't mean u should be picked! Wish Fergo hadn't been an idiot, then we would have nothing to worry about
Devout Saint
Guest
Everyone who wants Adam Reynolds as NSW halfback, how do you think he would look playing for Parra. Sandow looked very good 2 years ago playing for Souths, but looks below average playing for Parra. Adam Reynolds has a great kicking game, but that is the only part of his game that is great.
mj
Guest
haha Pearce has more lives than a cat NSW selectors are a joke... Selections has cost NSW in the past, and it seems sadly it may for the 8th year in a row
The eye
Guest
Yes,AA.I said I thought The Blues would win despite Pearce not because of him.It was 14 -0 but the game wasn't lost,far from it.All we needed was field position and repeat sets from our kickers to sustain pressure,you know,what Cronk,Smith and JT did to seal the game ! Its just fundamental to kick deep and find the ground,Pearce can't do that when you want him to,or bomb so the ball must be taken barely in the field of play..same player can't do it..stats on it and Pearce are pretty famous.Its a completely different mindset running the ball regularly off your own line to running it at the line both offensively and defensively.Im not looking for a scapegoat,just a 1/2 who has finesse,skill and toughness with the ball,Pearce only has toughness.If you call demanding more of our 1/2 whinging,if you call sick of watching the same player promise nothing and give us nothing whinging and if you call fed up to the back teeth with losing due to a total and repetitive dumb arse selection whinging,well yes I am the king of all whingers. At the end of the day I am a Blues supporter,Blind Freddy can see Pearce isn't our best option,but yes he's the selection hope he plays well,and that's as much as I can hope for and as well mannered as I can be to suck ups like you.
AA
Guest
Nicely put, The Eye. Were you so critical after game 1? That is all I want to know... I am not here to sit on the fence. I am defending Pearce. You cannot blame Pearce for the loss in game 2. Sure if it was a 2-6 point game, you can point the finger but his forwards were belted. They were embarrassed and starved of possession in the first 20 minutes. By the time he got the ball it was already 14-0... If anything, Pearce looked more threatening when he ran the ball than any of the other attacking NSW players (excluding maybe Dugan and Fifita). All you are doing is looking for a scapegoat. You make it sound like NSW have lost the game before it has even begun. You were probably also the same bloke making the same noises before game 1 too. At the end of the day, Pearce is it. Unless he breaks down in the next week in some freak accident he will be our number 7 whether you or your army of sobs want him. You can either stand behind him or you can support the other mob.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Lets see what happens in Game 3 before we hang Daley hey?
The eye
Guest
Good on ya ,AA..keep checking your butt for splinters from that fence your sitting on if a whinger is defined as a fan who refuses to accept poor decision making or sit in a corner and suck it up time after time for 8 losing seasons,yep, that's me
Chris
Guest
Most NSW supports didn't was Pearce in the team for game 1 we want Carney and Reynolds
AA
Guest
- 1000 you whingers... After game 1 you were praising Laurie... you remind me of the English tabloid writers
Bluey
Guest
+100
The eye
Guest
Laurie's selections,tactics and lack of thoroughness in explaining the individual roles required of his players isn't good enough.When Pearce is drop kicked we have to clean out every member of the coaching and analytical staff who've been associated with the side over the past 8 years so we start pure and free of the nonsense selections they have forced us to endure.
Postie
Guest
The scariest thing in that article is saying Daley is pencilling players in for 2014! He alone has been involved in the last 7 series defeats as selector or Why is he immune from scrutiny? Who keeps picking the guy who seems to always be picked and the other half is dropped? Look at it at club level Pearce and Carney get to the GF, Carney goes off the rails and the chooks fall in a heap... Pearce and Maloney and they are back to the top
Rabbits
Guest
Bunnings! Hahahaha...Pearce of S&@T!
beachart
Guest
I can't believe the NSW Selectors in their persistence with Pearce. Too predictable, too pedestrian,too ORDINARY, If his name wasn't Pearce he would be working at Bunnings.