NSW must turn to Roosters halves Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary for State of Origin, says Matt Johns

MATTHEW JOHNS: Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary form the best halves combination in the NRL and have to be serious contenders for NSW.

MITCHELL Pearce and Luke Keary form the best halves combination in the NRL at the moment.

Pearce is the absolute standout candidate for the Blues’ No.7 jersey, and with Keary’s form so good, they must be given serious consideration as the halves pairing for NSW.

Adding strength to their selection is the combination they form with back-rower Boyd Cordner, which is the cornerstone of the Roosters’ attack.

The Roosters’ left side of Pearce and Cordner has always been a “go to” weapon in the tricolours’ attack, but with the addition of Keary’s speed and upfield punch, zipping in behind the back rower, this little attacking sequence has gone to another level again.

In fact, so far defences haven’t been able to stop it.

TIME TO BOOT PEARCE HATERS INTO TOUCH

I love the way Luke Keary has changed the block shape, because in my opinion most sides simply don’t do it correctly. They seem to go through the sequence with little regard for the subtleties of how to really pull the defence out of shape and as a result just push the ball toward, or over the sideline.

The Roosters, however, do it perfectly.

Pearce attacks the defence with speed and directness, pulling a target defender toward him.

Cordner compliments his halfback’s work by exploding into the space left by that defender.

At this point the defence is forced to move inward rapidly, to cover Cordner’s run and Pearce is left with the decision to pass short to his back-rower or hit the flying Keary, exploding around the back.

The timing is perfect and it’s what Keary does if he receives the ball that really helps make the play.

Keary is tough enough to take some big blows. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

Rather than receive the ball and continue on a sideways path like most others, he aggressively straightens and accelerates into the space that Cordner has created.

Sound simple! It’s not, because it takes real guts and courage from the little No.6. Most times when you run that line you’re going to get whacked, and whacked hard.

Keary’s had a lot of success so far with running the tough line, but he’s been jammed a few times as well. Crucially, it doesn’t discourage him.

Keary has been a godsend for Pearce. When you play in the halves you pray to play alongside a strong personality, a talker.

I was lucky during my career, playing alongside my baby brother at the Newcastle Knights, Brett Kimmorley at Cronulla and during my stint at Wigan, Adrian Lam, who was a brilliant talker and organising halfback.

All three were a dream to play with.

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They made playing feel easy. I can see that’s what Keary is giving Mitchell, a clear head, confidence, knowledge that if he gets caught with the ball, Keary will pick up the slack.

Everything is coming together for Pearce, his decision making has never looked more deliberate, he’s moving fast, but appears to have time, that a sign of class and confidence.

Mitchell is now in his peak years as a footballer, and he’s got someone alongside him who is going to help him to go to another level.

At 6pm on Fox League on Friday night it’s Roosters v Manly, it’ll be a beauty! Have the Roosters got the desire to make it five from five?

Manly are a side on the improve, with Daly Cherry-Evans suddenly rediscovering his best form after a difficult 12 months.

With Origin around the corner, a number of players will be well served by a big game.

Tom Trbojevic is starting to have the same impact at NRL level as many saw him have coming through the Manly junior ranks.

No one runs for more metres or can sniff out a try like Tom. If his form continues, coach Laurie Daley will have to find a spot for him in the squad somewhere.

I’m leaning to the Roosters. Their football is still a little patchy, but on the back of their key men, I like them to win at home.