Mitchell Pearce has been recalled by NSW coach Laurie Daley on the same day Billy Slater’s long and storied career with Queensland appears to have been ended by Queensland mentor Kevin Walters.
Pearce, channelling the cockroach name the NSW side has colloquially became known as, was thought to have had a black line ruled through his name after his infamous pre-season scandal last year but has been given yet another lifeline by a Blues coach smitten with his club form.
The Roosters No7 beat out incumbent Adam Reynolds and will tie Immortal Andrew Johns as the most capped NSW half in history. It is either a redemption story on steroids or a maddening disregard of the Einstein’s definition of insanity, depending on your position.
Pearce has won just four of his 15 Origin matches over a rep career that started back in 2008. He has not played in a winning series. His statistics for the Blues make for sorry reading: one try, six assists, 15 errors, just two forced drop outs and more missed tackles (51) than runs (49).
It is a selection that will set a state alight in debate. No player divides NSW fans more. Those for his inclusion argue that he has been the best half in club-land available. Those against point to his malodorous Origin record. Daley clearly doesn’t buy into the philosophy that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
No doubt working in Pearce’s favour is the partnership he has with James Maloney, the duo winning a premiership together at the Sydney Roosters in 2013 during three years playing together.
While it was Pearce’s inclusion that set tongues wagging south of the border, it was an exclusion that left Queensland coach Kevin Walters in tears and a state in shock with Billy Slater passed over.
Slater has played 27 times for the Maroons since debuting as a scintillating 20-year-old in 2004. Injury has kept him out of the last four encounters but after a strong – and healthy – start to the season, the Storm custodian was expected to return to the No1 jersey with Darius Boyd shifting to the wing.
Arguably the greatest fullback in history, Queensland’s long-standing policy of loyalty to those who have got the job done previously was overlooked in a decision that, barring injury to Boyd, has likely brought the curtain down on one of the Maroons’ longest-serving and most popular players.
It is no doubt a changing-of-the-guard match for the Maroons. Johnathan Thurston is likely to miss the match with injury. Greg Inglis and Matt Scott are both out hurt and Nate Myles could join them. Corey Parker has retired.
Anthony Milford beat out a hot field to partner Cooper Cronk in the halves as Thurston’s chances of playing diminished, a field that included Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster. There is no doubt though that Milford’s explosiveness and individual brilliance stylistically complements the organised football-savant genius of Cronk.
It was a bold move from Walters but one that will likely pay dividends. The Maroons mentor has also happily put his faith in debutant Dylan Napa to start at prop. The fiery Roosters red-head will no doubt be targeted early by the aggressive Blues pack but Napa is a player who knows no fear.
Walters’ counterpart Daley though was far more conservative in his selections. Aside from going with Nathan Peats to debut at hooker, a decision forced upon him by an injury to Peter Wallace and a belief that incumbent Robbie Farah is a bad match with Pearce, Daley has stuck with an ageing team.
Brett Morris hasn’t scored a try in eight weeks yet was chosen on a wing. Josh Dugan was picked out of position and having not played in a month. Jarryd Hayne has been unable to rediscover his pre-NFL form. Aaron Woods and David Klemmer kept their spots in the prop rotation despite Dragons pairing Paul Vaughan and Jack De Belin and Storm youngster Jordan McLean being in far better form.
It will be this conservatism that will likely cost the Blues. Again. Daley has consistently believed the team who lost narrowly are on the verge of winning so when the following year rolls around he is reluctant to make changes. The greatest trickery Queensland have ever played is having NSW believe they are close to ending the Maroons’ dominance.
The packs again look evenly matched. Both are deep with aggression and work rate. The fullbacks of each team are brilliant, different in style but matchwinners all the same. The Maroons have maybe the slightest of edges in the three-quarter line, primarily because the centres – the toughest defensive position on the field – are actually centres.
The tale of the halves though, that is where Queensland have dominated New South Wales over the last decade and where they again have a clear advantage, even with a debutant. Cooper Cronk can be relied on to kick well and get his players in the right spots. Milford’s role will be simple. Unfortunately the Blues don’t have a Cooper Cronk. They don’t even have their best available halves pairing.
