Jamie Soward was 10/10 from where I sat. Perfect kicking game. Good with ball in hand and strong in defense when asked the question. Of all the games, I'd label him the player of the round. The NSW selectors need to look at him come Origin time. I know we have Todd Carney and Mitch Pearce at the forefront of their minds, though Soward's kicking game alone would be huge for us.
That leads me to Mitch Pearce. I am a bit of a critic of Pearce and believe he more than any benefited from the emergence of Todd Carney. Pearce was good, though not as good as some of the experts have made out in 2010. Kicking off in 2011, he looks really, really good albeit against a side that made it easy in part. Pearce looks strong and oozes confidence. Massive upside for a halfback. Defensively reminds me of a young Joey Johns and his control of the game was superb. I am happy to eat humble pie if he lives up to the billing in 2011. We NSW Blues need him to play like he did in round one if we are a hope of stopping the rot at Origin level.
Aiden Tolman is a player I am massive fan of. Just love watching his no-nonsense style. A Nate Myles type for NSW. Tolman was brilliant against the Tigers. The rap on him is deserved.
