NSW will unleash their most experienced State of Origin halves combination since Andrew Johns’ retirement in next week’s series opener, with Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney reunited.
The Blues have long cycled through playmakers, but the pair’s combined 21 Origin games will also be the most of any NSW pairing since Johns’ last game in 2005.
On that occasion he and Braith Anasta combined with 26 games of Origin experience for that year’s victorious decider.
The Blues have won just one series in the 11 years that have followed as they made their way through an incredible 19 halves combinations in that time.
In comparison, the Maroons have had just five.
Maloney and Pearce last played together for NSW in 2013, when the Blues were sunk by two points in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium – the same season they won a premiership with the Sydney Roosters.
It means this year’s game one will be the first time since 2001 – when Brett Kimmorley and Brad Fittler were reunited – that Blues selectors have returned a previous Origin halves pairing for the opening match of a series.
“It’s always an advantage when you’ve got that sort of combination,” NSW coach Laurie Daley said.
“Because they just roll into training and they know how to control other people and get a game plan under way.
“Sometimes if you’ve got halves that haven’t played together it will take you a couple of days to find that right rhythm.
“We’re confident with the way we want to play we’ll fall straight into things.”
It will also mark just the second time since 2011 that the Blues won’t unveil a debutant playmaker for a series opener.
And with 36-game veteran Johnathan Thurston named at No.18 and in doubt for Queensland, the Blues could have an edge in terms of playmaking experience.
The Maroons will only have Cooper Cronk’s 13 games as an Origin starter in the halves, given Anthony Milford has been named for his Queensland debut. That experience is well down on the combination of Pearce’s 15 and Maloney’s six.
Again, that would make next week’s series opener the first time the Blues have gone in with more starting experience than Queensland in their halves since Johns’ last match for NSW in 2005.
“Experience counts for a lot,” Daley said of his selections.
“Never underestimate experience in a big game like this.”
Footy 101
Guest
Pearce's two toughest games this year verse Broncos and Manly. Result: 2 losses. Didn't face the Sharks, didn't face the Storm. Hasn't played any other full stregth quality team. A couple of good fortune match winning points make someone in good form and ready for QLD? I don't think so
Rafe Richards
Roar Rookie
NSW, will never win a series with Pearce, playing.. He's just a club man, not a rep player. I have the utmost respect for L Daley, not as a coach though.
The Koomz
Guest
Qld are definatly bluffing, Thurston will play. The mismatch is Peats V Smith. Boyd V Gillett, Napa V Fifita/Klemmer should be cracking match ups. I really can't see NSW winning if Thurston is playing.
Steve
Guest
Sorry, but pairing Cronk with anyone means they have a more experienced halves combination than the blues. If by "experienced" you are counting the number of times they've been dropped from rep teams, then yes, the blues have it. If you mean actual valuable and meaningful experience, then Cronks alone is worth more than both of the blues halves. Cronk was behind Thurston and Lockyer, two of the greatest to play the game. Pearce and Maloney are one of 19 combinations who have had numerous chances to perform and haven't. Its akin to saying you want Ben Hunt to be catching the footy in the last 2 mins of the grand final because he's more experienced.