Sydney Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello says NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce is a proven big-game player who is hitting ominous form ahead of next month’s State of Origin opener.
Pearce was the architect as Sydney extended their winning streak to five after beating North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night, laying on the final pass for both tries in a grinding 12-8 win.
Minichiello was the direct recipient of one of those deadly Pearce cut-out passes, finding his way across for the opening points of the game.
Pearce more than held his own coming up against Queensland pivot Johnathan Thurston, and looks set to add to his nine caps for the Blues.
Minichiello said his number seven was living up to the pressure of delivering on some of rugby league’s biggest stages.
“He handles pressure very well, Pearcey,” Minichiello said.
“The bigger the game the better he plays so he’s getting better week by week.
“His combination with Jimmy (James Maloney) is getting better as well so he’s a definite halfback (for NSW) in my books.”
As well as the two try assists, Pearce also set up his teammates for three line breaks and was in the thick of the action defensively with 25 tackles.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the 24-year-old was among the best players in the game running in the line, and was starting to understand a good style of football that keeps his teams in most games.
He said Pearce’s growing partnership with former Warriors five-eighth Maloney was a key factor in his side’s progression to second place on the NRL ladder.
“Like a lot of our team our growth has been on the back of Mitchell and James’ growth together and he’s (Pearce) really clear about the way that he’s playing,” Robinson said.
“He knows what his strengths are and he’s working hard with the coaches on that.”
But the Roosters mentor is still unsure if Blues coach Laurie Daley would have a clearer idea on whether Maloney would join Pearce in the halves at Origin level.
Maloney made 51 metres from seven runs, breaking free of the Cowboys tackles on four occasions in a strong performance.
“I think obviously (Rabbitohs John) Sutton (will be in the selection mix), I saw bits of (Friday) night, and he’s playing some outstanding footy and Todd Carney’s the incumbent,” Robinson said.
“Jimmy (Maloney) played quite a good game (Saturday) night so it’s a good choice to have.
“Hopefully Jimmy keeps playing that style of footy and keeps putting his foot forward for it.”
Another test of the growth of the Pearce-Maloney combination will come next week as the Roosters host defending premiers Melbourne Storm, and an individual battle with Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk.
