Mitchell Pearce says he’s learned to deal with the constant speculation surrounding his NSW position ahead of next month’s State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.

Despite being the incumbent halfback for the Blues and performing well in last year’s 2-1 series defeat, Pearce is not certain to keep his No.7 shirt, with Newcastle’s Jarrod Mullen and Brisbane’s Peter Wallace breathing down his neck.

Former Sydney Roosters teammate Todd Carney is also in the running, with the pair to face off in Sunday’s City-Country match in Mudgee.

Pearce is pleased to see the Cronulla man back to his best after a controversy-filled 2011.

“Toddy is a great player and he’s been real good this year and I am real pleased for him,” Pearce told AAP.

“Around this time of year, there is always talk about who’ll make Origin and who’ll miss out and this year’s no different.

“I genuinely have no idea who Sticky (coach Ricky Stuart) is going to pick.

“I hope it’s me, and there are three or four others probably thinking the same. But I can’t do anything about the speculation. It is what it is – I just ignore it.”

The City squad arrived in Mudgee on Wednesday night and were able to train in dry conditions on Thursday for the first time since linking up in camp in rain-soaked Sydney on Monday.

The session gave Pearce another chance to watch Jarryd Hayne at close quarters in the five-eighth role and the 22-year-old has been impressed with what he’s seen from the versatile Parramatta superstar in what could potentially be yet another NSW halves combination.

“I think he will go real good,” he said.

“He plays like a ball player when he’s played at five-eighth for Parramatta and, the year he won the Dally M in 2009, he also played that way from fullback.

“He’s a threat when he runs out the back of block plays and he’s got ability to run with the ball.

“I honestly don’t know what Sticky is thinking about, but he must like him as a five-eighth, which is why he’s got him here and I’m looking forward to playing with him.”