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7th Tackle: The move that could help Pearce win for NSW

We’ve had months of spirited debate over Mitchell Pearce’s selection merits for the Blues.

Matt Moylan had the inside running after his successful partnership with James Maloney in Origin III last year, but poor club form in 2017 appears to have cost him a recall.

Much has been made of Pearce’s record in Origin: 15 games without a series win and seven fruitless visits to Suncorp Stadium, which will host two games this year.

Pearce’s great form for the Roosters would have to fall off a cliff against the Bulldogs on Sunday for him to miss selection.

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But now the challenge is giving him the game plan and team to improve that dreaded record.

The first step is for the Blues halves to take more ownership of the side.

A big part of that equation is a dummy half who passes off the ground more often than not.

Mitchell Pearce. Pic: Getty
Mitchell Pearce. Pic: Getty

That’s not the natural game of incumbent hooker Robbie Farah, who likes to probe and ask questions from the ruck.

Peter Wallace is more the straight up-and-down customer and has strong support from Blues selection advisor Peter Sterling.

7th Tackle's Blues team: Tedesco, B Morris, Dugan, Hayne, Ferguson, Maloney, Pearce, Klemmer, Cordner (C), Frizell, Fifita, Wallace, Woods. Reserves: Bird, McLean, Graham, J Trbojevic.

Twitter: @josh_massoud and @LiamCox_TV
Twitter: @josh_massoud and @LiamCox_TV