Pearce: I am ready for Origin recall

Mitchell Pearce has put his hand up to play five-eighth if that’s what’s required to earn a State of Origin recall for NSW.

Believing he has grown as a player and man, Pearce says he’ll be much more relaxed if handed another shot at Origin this year.

The oft-maligned playmaker admits he used to “freak out” about having to lead the Blues around before being dumped last year following a drunken night out and 12 games for his state but no series wins.

But the 26-year-old Sydney Roosters co-captain and premiership winner says he’d relish another chance at Origin as coach Laurie Daley ponders the worrying form of incumbent halves pair Trent Hodkinson and the suspended Josh Reynolds.

“Josh and Trent Hodkinson did a great job last year,” Pearce said on Wednesday.

“I’ve said the whole time that they deserve the first crack because they’re the incumbents and they won the series.

“So I still stand with that but at the same time if I was to get picked I’d be ready.”

Pearce relinquished his NSW No.7 jumper last year after being fined $20,000 for his wild night in King’s Cross three weeks before the Origin series opener.

He thinks he’s learnt from the experience and believes he also deals with the stress of selection speculation a lot better.

“I definitely feel like I’m a better player now for sure,” Pearce said.

“If I was to get picked in Origin again, I think I’d be better experienced.

“I definitely feel a lot more relaxed. I haven’t handled that situation well in the past, especially when I was younger.

“I sort of let it get to me a bit mentally with the preparation with all that stuff going on.

“So just this year I’ve probably developed a bit as a person. I know what works a bit more.”

With Reynolds slapped with a one-game ban for tripping during Sunday’s City-Country game in Wagga Wagga – his second suspension this season – Daley said he planned to meet the No.6 about ensuring his renowned exuberance didn’t spill over into reckless on-field behaviour.

While he admitted a preference to sticking with his incumbents, the Blues coach on Wednesday said he was also considering playing Pearce alongside Hodkinson in the series opener in Sydney on May 27.

“All options are on the table,” Daley said.

“I look at it and I know what I’d like to do, but there are things there that can influence your decision.”

Pearce said he’d be up for the challenge of wearing the NSW No.6 jumper if asked.

“You’d play wherever you got picked, I suppose, but I haven’t thought too much about it,” he said.

“If I was to get picked, I’d take whatever.”