He is the best halfback in the land but he shouldn't be picked for NSW in their must-win clash against Queensland in Game II, that is according to former Blue Brett Finch.
Mitchell Pearce is arguably the best player in the NRL at the moment and was personally contacted by Andrew Johns on the weekend to gauge interest in a return to the NSW squad.
The 30-year-old is currently leading the Dally M count on the back of six man of the match performances, yet has not played for his state since 2017.
Finch acknowledged that on current form Pearce is the best halfback in the country, but should not be rushed into the team to replace Nathan Cleary because it will continue the trend of NSW blaming the halfback for their defeats.
“It just goes around in circles. I’ve been there as a half, I was there at the start of (the Queensland dynasty) back in 2006 and the nature of it is the halves take responsibility, it’s their fault all the time,” Finch said on Fox Sports.
“There’s so many other areas ... we had some errors in the second half. To think we’re going to put a new bloke in the No.7 and that’s going to win the game is just crazy.
“Year after year it’s always the same conversation, it’s around the halfback.”
Finch wants NSW to stick with Cleary and Cody Walker in the halves for their crucial match in Perth on June 23.
As a QLD I’m very happy to see Cleary and Walker line up again. Particularly like the idea of having Wighton come on to replace walker after 60 minutes. Im really glad all these former players are chipping in cause it just puts more pressure on the team to win. With Keary ruled out, Personally I would hate to see Pearce and Maloney in the halves. Pearce (the best halfback) and Maloney (the best five-eight other than JT over the past 5 years). The two have played together at the Roosters where they won the comp, both players have experience and know how to win games and make good decisions. Both players can run the ball and kick the ball which is very important. If you want to win you go with these two but will they…. NO and for that I am thankful
The love for Cleary is sickening….have a look at his stats for the 4 SOO games….zero try’s, zero try assists, zero forced line dropouts…….zero effectiveness
Maloney and C.Walker. Jimmy is the type of person who can take control of the team in the big moments, he has that winning mentality, that competitiveness. Cleary doesn’t seem to have that (yet).