Women’s State of Origin 2024: Recalled NSW Blues star Rachael Pearson responds to Jesse Southwell axing
After being dropped for game two of last year’s State of Origin series, Blues star Rachael Pearson has earned a recall, at the expense of her former halves partner Jesse Southwell.
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It anyone knows how Jesse Southwell feels, it’s Rachael Pearson.
The NSW halfback was dropped for game two of last year’s State of Origin series, a moment that still makes her emotional to talk about.
On Wednesday the 30-year-old was named to play this year’s opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 16 in place of her halves partner from last year, Newcastle’s teenager premiership star Southwell.
“I honestly (feel for Jesse), I was in that position game two last year, I know how it feels,” Pearson said.
“It’s not only her, we had 36 girls in the squad and there’s others who missed out too and they’ve been training really hard.
“It comes with the game. It’s how you react to that disappointment, whether you dwell on it or change it into a positive and get yourself back in, do the work and get your rewards.”
After she was dropped, Pearson picked her game apart for a week or so after wondering what she could have done differently in the 18-10 loss to Queensland.
The Eels skipper went away, worked on being a more commanding halfback, and came back stronger.
“To earn that Blue jersey back again is a nice feeling,” Pearson said.
“That was shattering (to be dropped), we lost game one, decisions had to be made really quickly for game two and that phone call isn’t a phone call you ever want to get.
“I’m even emotional talking about it now.
“To live that, work hard in the NRLW, work hard in the extended squad to get back into the team, it’s extra special to be back.”
Sky Blues veteran and Roosters champion Corban Baxter has been named at five-eighth in a brand new halves pairing for NSW in the newly expanded three-game series which kicks of Magic Round in Brisbane next Thursday night.
Coach Kylie Hilder explained the duo have been picked for their experienced and game management, as well as a kicking game that she says they lacked last year.
Baxter predominantly plays at fullback and was a shock selection for five-eighth despite having played two games in the No.6 jersey in 2020 and 2021.
In an effort to win back the series, the Blues had a seven-week training camp leading into Origin selection, and Baxter competed with other halves options Emma Tonegato, Kirra Dibb, Southwell and Pearson for the job.
“Rach is level headed, as I like to think I am too. I probably haven’t played five-eighth as much recently as I have at fullback, but I like to run the ball so we work well together,” Baxter says.
“Jesse is so electric and she was awesome for the side, and is probably champing at the bit to get back into the team.
“When you throw Emma Tonegato into the mix, she has the ability to play fullback and five-eighth too so I didn’t know where I fit in (coming into the squad). Five-eighth was my preference but I was open to whatever was best for the squad.”
This is Baxter’s eighth Origin appearance after missing the last two series’ with the birth of her son Beauden.
“It’s been a minute, it’s good to be back with this crew, there’s a lot of girls here in the squad who were around when I was here last which is comforting, It feels natural being back in the squad.
“It wasn’t easy, I know there’s a lot of great candidates who could have filled this position but it makes me proud to know I earned my way back into the team.”
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Originally published as Women’s State of Origin 2024: Recalled NSW Blues star Rachael Pearson responds to Jesse Southwell axing
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