That couldn't happen these days. NSW pick their halves in Game 1 and only injury forces changes. Look at how many chances Pearce has received these days. I think if they picked him they would see his first year as development.
As of today he's not ready (I still believe he would be better than Pearce was though, along with every other player eligible). In 10 months time however a lot changes:
50+ NRL games, over 3 seasons of football.
Finals footy experience
Minor rep experience in City vs Country
I don't think many people thought he would be ready to be our NRL halfback last year. Maybe for a game or two, but realistically no one would have expected we would punt Soward to put him in the halves permanently with Cartwright. I certainly didn't expect him to have more than a handful of games to his name last year, letalone be our first choice #7 and goalkicker in the finals.
See how things look next year. If Maloney was injured or horribly out of form, I think NSW could do worse than throwing Cleary and Moylan into the NSW halves and giving the kicking duties to Nathan. Imagine if NSW went on to win the series... that would be huge for them and us. Yet I don't think losing the series would cause any harm... it's pretty much expected that we can't win.