I hear what you're saying Big Pete about Pearce being young and well performed in the NRL but club comp is an entirely different animal to SOO. I couldn't care if someone was 22 or 32. playing 100 games or 10..some players are made for origin and some aren't. Pearce is tough and durable, a rock in defence and will try his heart out - not surprising considering who his old man is. But like junior his doesn't have a football brain...He can't play what's in front of him and grab a game by the scruff of the neck..and that's no crime except he's not a hard working backrower or an outside back..he's a halfback.
What's that mean?? It means we have expectations of him we didn't have of his father or any other backrower - he should lead the side and grasp/create opportunities. Yes he can tackle and all that, throw a good pass even but so can 100 kids in every high achool in Sydney.
Can he think on his feet and come up with something in the heat of battle when its needed most??
No Pete he can't and you, I and everyone elso knows it. He can barely do it at club level. let alone SOO. Even Braith Anasta can create something special at club level but we all know he is short of origin standard.
Pearce is not and never will be an origin halfback - not against quality opposition. Is he the best NSW have though?? Yes probably. Although on form you could argue a case for Mullin and Carney as NSW halves...
