State of Origin 2015: Mitchell Pearce says he’s ready to finally lead the Blues to Origin glory
MITCHELL Pearce has a direct message for his doubters and haters — I won’t let NSW down this time.
Pearce, 26, was spectacularly recalled to the NSW side yesterday after being dumped last year over an alcohol related incident in a Kings Cross nightclub.
The Sydney Roosters playmaker has been heavily maligned at Origin level — but he is back feeling confident, fresh and mentally ready.
“I am definitely a better player than when I last played (for NSW in 2013). I have learnt a lot, especially what works for me,” Pearce told The Daily Telegraph.
“Mentally I believe in myself a lot more now. I am a lot more confident in my strengths as a player and a person. I think I have always had the ability but I believe in myself more and I have the right mental approach.
“There was definitely some doubt there and a lot of negativity. It was how I handled the game and the setbacks. Everyone was in the same position, it wasn’t just me on the field.
“I didn’t handle the setbacks maybe as well as other players. But I have learnt from those lessons. I am more confident coming here (into NSW camp) because I know I if I play my best everything will take care of itself.
“You have doubts every now and then but I feel more in control of myself. I know what I am as a player and what my strengths are and what I bring to a team.
“When I was younger I was probably trying do everything and was working myself out. I feel really proud and privileged to be called back into a winning side. I don’t want to let them down.”
Pearce’s NSW sides have won just three of 12 games. He has never won a series. Pearce admitted he wasn’t ready when first called into Origin.
“Definitely, in hindsight,” he said. “You get picked because they wanted you here and there is some regret about wishing I could have handled it better but it was what it was at that time.”
But his hunger and desire to succeed at Origin level burns harder each year.
“I am still only pretty young so I backed myself,” he said. “I thought if I do everything right and get to where I want as a player then I will be putting my hand up for an opportunity.
“I always believe that and always backed myself. I have done the work and worked hard.”
Former Roosters team-mate, Anthony Minichiello backed Pearce’s return.
“I am proud of ‘Junior’, what’s he gone through over the last couple of years. From my point of view, he is a much more composed and mature player now than when he last played for NSW. He certainly deserves his spot,” Minichiello said.
NSW coach Laurie Daley added: “Mitch is a guy I have a lot of time for and I know he can add value to this team,” Daley said. “He is a guy everyone is excited to play alongside.”
Pearce and Canterbury’s Trent Hodkinson will form the NSW halves.
Both are halfbacks, Pearce to wear the number six jumper.
Origin football this time last year though must have seemed an impossible mission for Pearce, issued with an infringement notice for failing to leave a club and then banned from Kings Cross for 48 hours.
“I take the full blame. I brought it all on myself, that’s the past now,” he said.
Hodkinson will be calming influence on Pearce.
The pair will start working on combinations on Wednesday inside the NSW camp at Coffs Harbour.
“It will be about adding our own spice to it I suppose,” Pearce said. “Trent is quite composed. He has a very calm demeanour and looks like a good organiser.
“That allows me …. I think I play my best when I run the ball and I know Loz wants me to do that. It will be something I will be focusing on.”
