New South Wales are set to name Newcastle's Mitchell Pearce for Origin II, paring him with Nathan Cleary in the halves, according to Fox Sports.
Cleary has come under scrutiny to hold his place in the side as the Blues look to even the series, but he will be named in the No. 6 jersey.
Additionally, the retention of the Panthers youngster means the goal-kicking duties don't have to be shifted to Latrell Mitchell.
It is understood that Pearce will come in to defend on the left edge in place of Cody Walker, while Cleary will stay on the right edge.
Another player who was touted to be paired with Pearce was Jack Wighton, but the Raiders five-eighth will reportedly hold his place in the side on the interchange.
The Pearce-Cleary pairing is still reliant on the duo getting through round 14 healthy, with injuries proving to be a major obstacle in the Blues camp in the lead up to the series.
Terrible halves partnership
Let keep the guy with 0 relevant stats and put in a guy with 0 series wins.
Should be Pearce and Walker if their fair dinkum
Agree.
Walker? LOL
Pearce and SOO should never be said together!
It should be Pearce and Maloney. They win a premiership together, both know each other’s game. Both can run the ball and kick the ball and take control. Maloney would be the goal kicker. Maloney actually has looked really good the last two games. Cleary is the future but not the current. As for the bench utility, I’d scrap it and go for 4 forwards.
8. Trbojevic
9. Cook
10. Vaughan
11. Cordner
12. Frizzell
13. Murray
14. Matterson
15. Haas
16. Finucane
17. Crichton
Off the bench you want impact, size and speed. Matterson not only covers halves and backs if needed but is tall and powerful and would make meters. Finucane is just so reliable and through the middle of the game will work as hard as anyone to make tackle after tackle and get metres. Haas brings size and speed, Crichton wasn’t great in game 1 but he did make a lot of tackles and if injury hits a second rower he will be needed.