Injury to Mitchell Pearce opens NSW Origin selection door for Jack Bird and Luke Keary

JACK Bird and Luke Keary have emerged as the favourites to partner James Maloney for the Blues following the long-term injury to incumbent No.7 Mitchell Pearce.

Who should play halfback for NSW this year?

JACK Bird and Luke Keary have emerged as the favourites to partner James Maloney for the Blues following the long-term injury to incumbent No.7 Mitchell Pearce.

Pearce will miss four months, needing surgery to repair a ruptured pectoral muscle.

The only conjecture surrounding Maloney is the number he wears with injuries to Pearce and front-runner Nathan Cleary shattering new coach Brad Fittler’s plans.

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Fittler said the injury to Pearce was “very disappointing”.

“He was having such a great year,” Fittler told the Daily Telegraph. “He was looking very settled. Newcastle will miss him dearly.”

The injuries to Cleary and Pearce now means Maloney is likely to wear the No.7 jersey after starring for the Panthers in Cleary’s absence.

Jack Bird’s move to five-eighth with Brisbane will aid his Origin hopes.

The way Maloney has controlled matches has given the Blues hope that he will be able to steer NSW around the park come Origin I in June. With Maloney as the general, it has paved the way for the Blues to pick a running five-eighth after watching the success Tyrone Peachey has had in that role. Enter Bird and Keary.

MASSIVE blow for Mitchell Pearce. Needs surgery on pectoral. Out for four months

— Michael Carayannis (@MCarayannis) 22 April 2018

While Bird’s performance against Melbourne on Friday could count against him, the fact he has been shifted into the No.6 jersey for the Broncos will boost his chances. Keary – who can organise a team but is best when running – has shown glimpses of brilliance at stages this year.

Warriors five-eighth Blake Green – who is battling for the buy of the year tag alongside the likes of Maloney and Ben Hunt – is also in the mix but is understood to be considered too much of an organiser – similar to the Maloney style of player.

Mitchell Pearce is out for four months following results on his pec injury.

Cleary was the favourite to wear the No.7 jersey before a ball had been kicked. If he can reach his ambitious targeted return of three weeks that gives him three games to potentially re-establish himself as a contender again. But that could be too much of an ask to throw the rookie into an Origin pressure cooker underdone.

Another leading contender before round one was Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses who impressed Fittler during the time they spent together for Lebanon at last year’s World Cup. After a horror start to the year, Moses put in his best performance of the season laying on three tries and kicking eight goals for the Eels against Manly to re-enter the frame.

The Blues have been rocked by injuries with Pearce, Cleary, Jordan McLean and Josh Mansour already sidelined.

Luke Keary is a chance to make his Origin debut.

“We’re scratching already, “Fittler said. “Hopefully not too many more get injured. That’s why picking your team too early - I have seen in the past it has been very consistent with NSW that we have a lot of injuries.”

The near-season ending injury to Pearce is a cruel blow for the Knights. Pearce tops the Dally M medal count after claiming another three points on Saturday night.

Teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall said Pearce was shattered.

“He was devastated after the game,” Kenny-Dowall said. “It was bitter sweet for him. He was happy we got the win. The show goes on. We can’t be sad about that. We should be confident with how we’re feeling.”

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