Mitchell Pearce is reportedly keen to be overlooked for State of Origin selection in 2016 to instead focus on his rehabilitation.
The Roosters halfback will ask Laurie Daley to be excluded from this year’s series, having only just returned to playing for the Sydney Roosters after an eight-game ban to start the NRL season.
It is believed the Roosters’ struggles during his absence – with the tri-colours dropping seven of their first eight games – was also a factor in his decision.
“I’ve told him to go away and think about it, but he seems to have made up his mind,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson told News Corp Australia.
“This is a long healing process and Mitchell does not want his progress affected by more change.”
Pearce has featured in all but one of the Blues’ Origin campaigns since his debut in 2008.
While he missed the opening two months of the season as punishment after footage of a drunken lewd episode on Australia Day went viral, Pearce was considered in the running to wear the Blues No.7 jumper with no other halfback option impressing so far this season.
He scored a try in the Roosters’ 38-0 win over Newcastle last Saturday night, and there was speculation he could have been linked with former halves partner James Maloney for NSW.
Origin rules do not permit players standing down for one season, with Pearce hoping merely to be overlooked by Daley.
No 2014
Guest
1. Coote 2. Fergusson 3. Roberts 4. Morris 5. Mansour 6. Austin 7. ? 8. Gallen (c) 9. Farrah 10. Tamou 11. Bird 12. Cordner 13. Bird 14. Klemmer 15. Cartwright 16. Merrin 17. Moylan I'm a Dragons fan but Dugan is an old fashion full back with no passing game and a non threatening centre with average defensive reads. He's not overly quick and the fact is NSW needs more points
Thor
Guest
Who else is there? Leave the shield with QLD and everybody concentrate on club games.
Red Dog
Guest
It's not all bad news , Gallen and Bird will still be there .
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Didn't he say last year that if they lost the series he'd ask to be overlooked for origin?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
What a brilliant stand from Pearce. He should be congratulated. Of course we all knew that he was always going to be the number one pick for NSW at 7.With such a show of humility, Pearce must be somehow got into the overall squad (players. coaches, hangers on) so as to lift their spirits. since he can't be out there to lead them.
John
Guest
If this is true, I feel sorry for Kevin Walters the bad news just keeps rolling in.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
If this is true, I applaud the kid. Time away and reflection on how to improve his performance at the SOO level will do wonders for him 2017 and onwards.