Much has been written about Mitchell Pearce’s Origin career: the impotence, the stats, the failures. No Origin player has ever been given more flack.
And no one has ever been handed so many opportunities.
Yet, after numerous failures on the field and an indiscretion register which reads higher than his Origin try assists, it baffles that Pearce is still in line – let alone at the front of it – to once again command the HMAS Titanic NSW.
Yes, there are the arguments which bleat about NSW’s halves’ depth being poor, but that depth has hardly been explored either! A game here, a game there for other options, based on a rotation policy around Pearce.
Laurie Daley and previous selection panels have dropped the ball on many occasions, picking people on either reputation, favouritism or incumbency.
Whatever happened to form?
They missed the boat on Blake Austin, and that’s not putting the line through him at the moment either, but let’s not forget a few seasons back he was nearly scoring at will for the Raiders.
Heard of striking while the iron is hot, Laurie?
Remember Tariq Sims? Touted as the next Origin enforcer, once again, the selectors shouldered arms and missed a straight one. Tariq wasn’t picked, and he broke his leg in a club game instead of being on camp. The window of opportunity was missed.
What about when Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace were firing for Penrith?
Nope, let that one go too, boys? Wait another season or two? Wait until fans’ screams for sanity morph into selection pressure before you pick ’em? NSW have only been bombing Steedens down Billy Slater’s throat for ten years! Two noted kickers on the paddock at the same time surely could’ve helped the Blues’ cause.
Time and Time again in attack, NSW have been exposed as one-dimensional, clueless and void of leadership. Who could ever forget seeing a makeshift Queensland winger in Chris McQueen get a free pass, as he was not put under one scrap of pressure against the game’s best leaper, in Daniel Tupou. Embarrassing.
Where are the blokes being selected who have points, are game breakers, ooze form and possess x-factor?
It’s time to shelve the old criteria, along with any of the old guard, of which Pearce is definitely a part, and put a red marker around form and point-scoring capabilities.
Perhaps it’s even time to shoehorn Laurie Daley and any of the selection panel out, too.
Notafan
Guest
Bird starts simple. Look at the job he did on chambers in 2016 GF with one arm!!!!!!
Carlos
Guest
I think you have to have Tedesco, Moylan and T.Trbojevic in the team. Moylan would make a great 5/8th he plays a bit like Lockyer so make him 6 and captain. Reynolds is the best option for half that we have IMO. I'm not against to the idea of Pearce playing at 9 his club form is undeniable but I would prefer Wallace very experienced and would work well with Moylan. 1. Tedesco 2. T.Trbojevic 3. Dugan 4. Joey Leila 5. Ferguson 6. Moylan (c) 7. A. Reynolds 8. A. Woods 9. P. Wallace 10. S.Boyd 11. B.Cordner 12. T.Frizell 13. J.Trbojevic Bench / A. Fifita // R.James // D. Klemmer // J. Bird
Paul
Guest
Pretty much the whole of Darius Boyd's rep career has been on the wing too.
RJ
Guest
It's a pity for NSW supporters that Penrith aren't playing Peachey at hooker... as a QLD supporter, look forward to seeing (won't hear anything on the audio) Farah making 40-60 ineffectual tackles that wouldn't fracture my grandmothers hip (she is 96 with Osteoarthritis).
The Barry
Roar Guru
Queensland play blokes out of position all the time. You could make a good case that's how they introduce players in the team. Inglis started on the wing for Qld and had won a premiership* at 5/8 before he got a run in the centres for Qld. Slater played on the wing and off the bench in Origin and didn't play fullback until 2009. I wouldn't hesitate to play TTurbo on the wing - he's probably played as many NRL games as a winger as he has a fullback. Dugan and Hayne have played for Australia in the centres. Just because they play NRL in one position doesn't mean they can't play anywhere else. Winning teams never change their team as often...I don't think it's got much to do with Queensland mysticism.
Big Daddy
Guest
One of the trouble NSW has is they want to pick so many players out of position. E.G -we have four fullbacks (5 if you count hayne) tedesco.Dugan,trjobevic and Dugan. A lot of posters want them all in same team. A little bit over the top having them all there. If you look at half back you have Reynolds and pierce and some people want them both in by putting pierce at hooker. If they really want to win play the best person in that position on form instead of how Laurie Daley looks at it. He tends to use people that have served him well in the past if you can call losing 11 out of last 12 satisfactory. You don't see qld changing their format too much. If NSW don't win this year they have to get rid of Daley and start all over again.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Austin has had two thirds of a good season in a 6-7 year career. At his best he's very talented but I've only seen his best here and there. I'd gladly have him in blue if he could string a couple of good seasons together. But it's a risk when he's hot and cold.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not sure what games you blokes are watching but Klemmer in 2016 had more average running metres than Taumalolo, Bromwich, Merrin, Sam Burgess, Tamou, Finucane, McGuire, Woods, James, Jurbo, Parker, etc, etc Among forwards only Graham, Fifita and Gallen averaged more. Given he takes every hit up through the middle and doesn't side step or swerve, they're all tough metres. Hardly a powder puff. Can understand people not liking him but don't confuse personal opinion with ability.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Form can come and go. Austin, for example, has been good for a few year; however, he was carving up the opposition on nearly a weekly basis a few years back plus he was scoring points - he was in "red hot" form.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
There was an injury during the game and McQueen was pushed to the wing; Toops was the opposite winger.
peeeko
Guest
the fact that the players showed intermittent good form means that they were right not to be selected in the biggest arena
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Happy to be corrected but remind me when Chris McQueen played on the wing for QLD??? As a Qlder I hope they pick Pearce again so I agree with you about his ability but you did lose me a little when you suggested Jamie Soward should have been picked in previous seasons. He makes James Maloney look like the best defender ever.
Simon G
Guest
No room for Boyd Cordner and Wade Graham in the backrow? Arguably the 2 best backrowers in Australia at the moment, let alone NSW.
souvalis
Guest
Blaming Blues players or coaches for NSW defeats is senseless..there was/ is no counter to the dominant ability and more importantly football nous of Smith,Thurston and Cronk in the SOO arena...Reynolds or Pearce at 1/2,doesn't matter it's oranges or oranges..ditto hooker and fullback..
Mike
Guest
Pearce would be good for NSW if he gets picked. His club form has been stellar lately and his already played in origin numerous times. He would be a good pick, my only concern for him is that he has a slight tendency to fall into structure. If the going gets tough and pressure is put on he may not have what it takes to adapt to a changing game plan. Hopefully though from his absence he may have acquired more wisdom as a player and person. His the safe pick I suppose, other possibility if his not there is the number 7 from Cronulla.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I'd have to add Woods to the list of " walk up" duds in the NSW line up .
eels47
Roar Rookie
As halfback it is Pearce's job to take control of the team. He should have been demanding the ball when attacking Queensland's line, instead of letting Gallen and Bird take hit ups. Pearce alone is obviously not to blame for the losses, and a major factor has of course been the superstars in the Queensland team. At the end of the day though, he was in control of the team in attack, or at least should have been, and he didn't step up time and time again.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Here here!
spruce moose
Guest
Another person who should shoulder a lot of the blame is Michael Jennings. When he is on the park NSW only have 12 players, because he WILL NOT EVER PASS the ball to his winger.
spruce moose
Guest
A bit like Aaron Woods.