Steve Roach says NSW’s most maligned players are readying to leave their critics red-faced during Wednesday’s’s State of Origin series opener.
The NSW and Balmain legend has leapt to the defence of Aaron Woods and Mitchell Pearce who he says have been unfairly targeted for their past Origin performances.
The outspoken former prop came out swinging against those who would criticise Woods’ output in previous game in the sky blue while he said Pearce had been unjustifiably blamed for Queensland’s dominance from 2006-2013.
Woods came in for criticism from Queensland newspaper the Courier-Mail on Thursday, which called the Wests Tigers front rower a weak link in Laurie Daley’s side after pointing to his Origin average of just 51 running metres.
The 24-year-old front-rower has been in terrific form for the Wests Tigers this year, averaging 186 metres.
But he has the worst running metres of any NSW starting prop in Origin history and his Origin average is about half of Queensland’s starting pair of Nate Myles (93m) and Matt Scott (106m).
However Roach fired back, saying statistics only told part of the story.
“I watched his first game (for NSW) and we didn’t have the ball for 15 minutes – it’s hard to make yards or have an impact when you don’t have the ball,” Roach said.
“Stats are only right 80 per cent of the time. They don’t tell the whole story.
“What they don’t tell you about is those little one per centers – things like diving on the ball and kick chases.
“Everyone gets tied up in stats. When I was playing the only thing I was thinking about was who you wanted to play with or have out there with you. There’s no stats for that.”
Roach said the same could be said for Pearce, who has earned an Origin recall after some stellar form for the Roosters this year.
Pearce failed to convert his club form in the representative matches, making just two line breaks and coming up with four try assists in 12 Origin games.
Pearce has won just three games at Origin level but Roach said a lot of other NSW players had similarly poor win rates after Queensland’s run of eight straight series wins up until 2013.
“People say Pearce has won three in 12 – but Queensland won eight of the last nine series,” Roach said.
“They just jump on a crap stat. A lot of blokes haven’t won many games. It’s unfair what they’ve done to him.
“He’s matured a lot and he’ll handle it. He’s a good footy player and I get a bit disappointed. You can’t blame one person.”
merv
Guest
maybe Blocker is expecting more of this: http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img537/1593/lQkmrX.jpg\ SOO Game 2, no penalty given …
WQ
Guest
Honestly who cares what Blockhead has to say??
paul
Guest
How many did lokyer lose before he became a force. We are a nation of knockers and the journos are world champs . I think the blues will win queensland are dads army and nz proved it in the test they got belted
Parra
Guest
Wrong article, not sure how that happened?
Parra
Guest
Without Thurston the Cowboys are rudderless. The Tigers should have easily won. Not sure what is wrong with the Tigers this year?
Elma Dudd
Guest
Good point Ni
Trickster
Guest
Is that you KB?
Darren
Roar Rookie
Any argument is bung when the source material is the Courier Mail; it is always fallacious, bias or thinly veiled sponsor propaganda.
AJohnnyball
Guest
If Blocky says all good, must be, shouldn't it, maybe, who knows?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I've always loved the one's who give themselves nicknames.
littleredrooster
Guest
In denial...but then again Jay C you're not too bright.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It's as Australian as yelling racial abuse on a train
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Um. Yeah I guess you are ; -)
Paul
Roar Rookie
Hey Niallsy its just a nickname
littleredrooster
Guest
Niall-Indy
Justthetip
Guest
If NSW win we won't have seen rugby league played to the highest level. We will have seen the first receiver almost getting tackled when he catches the ball, 10 second play the balls that cause most of the niggle, and an amazing kicking game. NSW are crippling the NRL. Halves coaching is a joke. Mini, Brett Morris, moylan and b Stewart are true footballers, and the type of fullback that can provide far more than Dugan or GI. Yet Morris aside they are barely picked. If QLD pick GI as fb when slater retires I'll lose respect for their approach to league. Soward (injury aside) and Pearce are the obvious halves that should be picked. Laurie's style he's implementing is a short sighted band aid solution. Their forward pack is awesome though and should have allowed for more pure footballers selected in the back line. Dugan will be a wasted selection if cronk and JT have a decent kicking game. Moylan would have provided more, especially with the wingers size and speed for metres on kick return. Laurie has totally showed QLD his hand and the forwards can possibly do enough damage to make it the right choice. QLD aren't doing that bad when it comes to young forwards though and Laurie has played it safe picking a team of robots. Can't see a series being won with Pearce and Farah as the only creative blokes in the side.
Niall
Guest
Wanna know the reason old blocker is sticking up for Woods and Pearce?? Woods is his son's best mate and Pearce is his mate's son. Get sick of mates sticking up for mates in the media. Although Woods has been in great form this year. Just a little rant to go along with that I also hate it when coaches are being interviewed and they're referred to by nicknames or shortening their name or basically not using their actual name. Wayne Bennett - Super Coach or Long neck Ricky Stuart - Sticky Des Hasler - Dessie Shane Flanagan - Flanno Neil Henry - King Geoff Toovey - Toovs Craig Bellamy - Bellyache Rick Stone - Stoney Andrew McFadden - Cappy Paul Green - Greeny Brad Arthur - Angry (Once heard Ryan Girdler use this, Brad didn't sound happy) Ivan Cleary - Maybe the only man in Australia without a nickname Michael Maguire - Madge Paul McGregor - Mary Trent Robinson - Robbo Jason Taylor - JT I know this is a bit pedantic but a first grade NRL coach is in a position of authority and should be treated more professionally. Triple M is the worst culprit for this. Am I the only one annoyed with how matey everyone is with each other?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Woods took his average of 186m in the NRL into the ANZAC Test and ran for 140m. Meanwhile Matt Scott ran for only 68m. Those stats were conveniently ignored by the Courier Mail. Woods is in sensational form this year. He has only just turned 24 and it takes time to mature as a front rower. Very bright future.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Woods really needs a dominant rep display though. No doubting his ability week to week but he has never been dominant in a rep team that I'm aware of.