The Pearce Problem

[RWB]

Fifita got terrible ball all game. He always seemed to get a pass thrown behind him or when he was flatfooted and covered in defence.

When isn't Fifita flat footed?

Amazing how none of our other props seemed to have that issue.

 

[chigurh]

Fifita looked fat and slow out there.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

2010- Pearce and Barrett. Barrett has the experience to help pearce through the game. Result=blues lose

2011- Pearce and Soward. Sowards kicking game and creativity will help out pearce. Result= blues lose

2012- Pearce and Carney. Carneys combination with roosters from a few years back will help take pressure of pearce. Result= blues lose

2013- Pearce and Maloney. Maloney is bringing a maturity and calmness to Pearce's game and we'll finally see the best from him. Result= blues lose

2014- No Pearce. Result= blues win

2015- Pearce and hodkinson. Hodkinson will steer the team around and mitchell can just focus on his own game and show us the real mitchell and lead us to glory. Result= doesn't look bloody good from here

Why do we both having 13 players when it sounds to me like halves are the only position that matters?

 

[DiegoNT]

Why do we both having 13 players when it sounds to me like halves are the only position that matters?

Because in the last 4-5 seasons our halves have never performed. We've at least matched the Queenslanders in the outside backs and in the forwards ( and occasionally gotten the better of them) but we've never come close to matching them in the halves. Just one repeat set or a kicking game were slater isn't bringing it over the 30m every set would make a huge difference, not to mention some composure and a bit of brains in the last 10 minutes of a close game.

 

[betcats]

Why do we both having 13 players when it sounds to me like halves are the only position that matters?

Look how close the last 3 series have been. We won last year and lost the previous two by a point. We can match it with QLD in the forwards and can dominate field position to have enough chances to put games away, but we cannot score points because we have shit halves. Last year Hayne got it done and Hokko stood up a bit but every other year our halves let us down.

Defensively we are good enough, proved that last year and again on Wednesday we can defend QLD well. In terms of field position we can get up the field and into good postions but we struggle massively to take advantage of our opportunities, such as failing to take that field goal.

 

[Craig Johnston]

the loss on the wednesday was down to the forwards, that simple...i'd say having gall would have won us the match and handsomely

 

[Penrose Warrior]

As with everything there's got to be a better option before it becomes the way to go.

So if we are to presume Reynolds is the answer at 7, who plays with him? Converting a 1. into a five-eighth (Moylan) I doubt is the answer, hasn't worked in the past. Hodko is an average NRL player at best. The other Reynolds is a liability. Everyone's willing to write off Pearce. So who is it?

 

[Valheru]

Because in the last 4-5 seasons our halves have never performed. We've at least matched the Queenslanders in the outside backs and in the forwards ( and occasionally gotten the better of them) but we've never come close to matching them in the halves.

You must be one of those people that go to bed at half time. The forwards full on dogged it in the 2nd half and that is the reason why NSW lost the match, there are no ifs ands or buts.

I must laugh at the people who cite the 2nd half kicking performance of Pearce. It does make it hard when every single kicking opportunity is between the two 30 metre lines with atrociously slow play the balls. I note most of QLD good field position kicks in the 2nd half were from Cam Smith on the back of punishing runs and quick play the balls. That didn?t happen in the first half because our forwards stood up and lo and behold Pearce was able to put decent kicks in.

The missed penalty from Hodko for touch was key as well, it really felt like we held out well and the tide might turn.

 

[DiegoNT]

You must be one of those people that go to bed at half time. The forwards full on dogged it in the 2nd half and that is the reason why NSW lost the match, there are no ifs ands or buts.

I must laugh at the people who cite the 2nd half kicking performance of Pearce. It does make it hard when every single kicking opportunity is between the two 30 metre lines with atrociously slow play the balls. I note most of QLD good field position kicks in the 2nd half were from Cam Smith on the back of punishing runs and quick play the balls. That didn?t happen in the first half because our forwards stood up and lo and behold Pearce was able to put decent kicks in.

The missed penalty from Hodko for touch was key as well, it really felt like we held out well and the tide might turn.

So the kicks straight to slater in the first half and the lack of repeat sets when we had forward momentum count for nothing? The forward dominance kept shifting all game and was about 50/50. When Queensland pack was dominating, cronk and Thurston were getting repeat sets, or were kicking to keep field position. When qld forwards were getting dominated cronk n Co didn't panic and grinded their way back into the contest. When blues forwards were dominating we got no repeat sets and we kept kicking straight to slater and inviting them back into the game, when the blues forwards got dominated, pearce and hodkinson panicked and fell apart

 

[Craig Johnston]

So the kicks straight to slater in the first half and the lack of repeat sets when we had forward momentum count for nothing? The forward dominance kept shifting all game and was about 50/50. When Queensland pack was dominating, cronk and Thurston were getting repeat sets, or were kicking to keep field position. When qld forwards were getting dominated cronk n Co didn't panic and grinded their way back into the contest. When blues forwards were dominating we got no repeat sets and we kept kicking straight to slater and inviting them back into the game, when the blues forwards got dominated, pearce and hodkinson panicked and fell apart

the real question is why isn't the supposed better positional kicker hodkinson stepping up for those responsibilities as the 7? is he not strong enough to demand control? if he isn't, then he isn't the man for the job.

 

[DiegoNT]

As with everything there's got to be a better option before it becomes the way to go.

So if we are to presume Reynolds is the answer at 7, who plays with him? Converting a 1. into a five-eighth (Moylan) I doubt is the answer, hasn't worked in the past. Hodko is an average NRL player at best. The other Reynolds is a liability. Everyone's willing to write off Pearce. So who is it?

Maloney, soward have been the dominate halves in premierships wins, keary has a good combination with reynolds, joah reynolds has made geand finals and won an origin series and would compliment adam, Austin is in great form would also compliment adam and Moylan could make the transition to 5-8th but might be to much of a gamble for now.
The point is we do not have to put all our eggs in the pearce basket, he has shown his limitations time and time again. If that was peace best origin performance, and he had a great game as much of the press and posters on here claim then we are truly stuffed

 

[DiegoNT]

the real question is why isn't the supposed better positional kicker hodkinson stepping up for those responsibilities as the 7? is he not strong enough to demand control? if he isn't, then he isn't the man for the job.

That is true, but if it was a case of pearce taking over to much control or a game plan from daley, it showed of huge flaws in his game. There's no doubting hodkinson has to go, but for pearce to get yet another reprieve because he didn't play as bad as Trent is really clutching at straws

 

[Craig Johnston]

That is true, but if it was a case of pearce taking over to much control or a game plan from daley, it showed of huge flaws in his game. There's no doubting hodkinson has to go, but for pearce to get yet another reprieve because he didn't play as bad as Trent is really clutching at straws

well they're not going to drop 2 halves this series, it just ain't gonna happen, so suck it up, support the boys and support your state

 

[lockyno1]

well they're not going to drop 2 halves this series, it just ain't gonna happen, so suck it up, support the boys and support your state

3/13 :lol:

You wonder why NSW fans can't stand him lol

 

[Craig Johnston]

3/13 :lol:

You wonder why NSW fans can't stand him lol

even though it's been well explained and agreed that it wasn't the halves that cost us the match.

boring conversation really

 

[muzby]

 

[Sime_11]

the crucial field goal opportunity goes to Dugan (and tbf, he almost pulled it off considering the shit pass he got from farah and then having to dodge tackles & get himself into position to have a shot).

just shows how much confidence they have in the halves if your FB gets the shot at FG in Origin at the most crucial stage of the game. You'll never see Slater or Inglis (should he play FB) have a shot at field goal in Origin.

and don't get me started on the 5th tackle run the ball play with Jennings eventually kicking it. NSW halves need to take responsibility, that's why you have been picked ffs.

the difference in the origin halves is that you could put JT or Cronk into the worst team in the NRL and that team would look decent if not a contending team. Pearce & Hokko just don't have that. the only one that would come close is Soward IMO.

Pearce has been given 13 chances, give Soward the same. you'll get a better return for sure.

thoughts on a Soward/A.Reynolds half pairing? id like to see it given a chance,

 

[Mogsheen Jadwat]

even though it's been well explained and agreed that it wasn't the halves that cost us the match.

boring conversation really

well, it wasn't pearce this time anyway.

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

even though it's been well explained and agreed that it wasn't the halves that cost us the match.

boring conversation really

Lol .
Who agrees .
Some roosters fans & some not too bright Nsw fans .

When forwards are evenly matched, which was the case for this game, then they have done their job .
It is up to the halves to keep the pressure on .
Repeat sets are needed, if not, a kick that will pin the opposition down & have them starting their set in their own 10 mts .
The halves for NSW continually failed to do this ....Pearce has failed to do this in every SOO he has played in
So yes it is their fault .
That is their job as the playmakers .

If he can't do it, get someone who has a decent kicking game .
As a QLDER ,I could name a few who worry me far more than Pearce .

 

[lockyno1]

even though it's been well explained and agreed that it wasn't the halves that cost us the match.

boring conversation really

Keep telling yourself that

- Awful kicking game, and that is both of them! Did they have 1 kick that wasn't straight to Slater all night long? That is the halves fault!
- Not setting up for FG's...again both their fault.
- Not getting repeat sets- again the halves problem

3/13...keep picking him please :lol: