7th Tackle: The biggest obstacle in Pearce's Origin hopes

Mitchell Pearce’s impressive start to 2017 has led to calls for him to be rushed straight back into the NSW Origin side. But the selectors still need some convincing.

The biggest obstacle for Pearce is his barren record at Suncorp Stadium, which will host two matches this year.

The Blues actually won their lone series in the past 11 years when Brisbane last had two games in 2014, but Pearce was omitted from that team for disciplinary reasons.

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Seven of Perace’s 15 Origin games have been played at Suncorp Stadium – and he’s yet to taste success there in a sky blue jersey.

His recent record at the same venue not much better at club level either, with the Roosters losing their past four away matches to the Broncos since 2014.

While a stunning run of form over the next month could see Pearce get the nod, the incumbent Blues pairing from Game Three last year – James Maloney and Matt Moylan – are a better bet to be retained.