Mitchell Pearce kicks Roosters to 13-12 victory over Dragons in Anzac Day clash at Allianz Stadium
MITCHELL Pearce put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Dragons in the Anzac Day clash to own his spot the NSW side for State of Origin I.
SYDNEY Roosters star Mitchell Pearce all but secured the contentious NSW halfback spot with a man-of-the-match performance on rugby league’s big stage.
Pearce scored a vital try and kicked a high-pressure golden point field goal to give the Sydney Roosters a dramatic 13-12 win over St George Illawarra in Tuesday’s pulsating Anzac Day game in front of 40,864 fans at Allianz Stadium.
The Daily Telegraph understands Pearce is now clear favourite to be Blues halfback for the May 31 series-opener in Brisbane, having nudged past South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds.
It could mean NSW’s halves are Pearce and James Maloney.
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Pearce sat on the sidelines during last year’s ANZAC Day game, suspended for drunken misbehaviour.
Redemption has been sweet for the likeable Pearce. It was the game of the year. A golden point game on a golden day.
Pearce scored his 65th try running a courageous line before landing the 83rd minute extra time field goal. And it happened with Blues coach Laurie Daley watching on from Allianz Stadium Member’s Stand.
It was a big match game from a big match player who was criticised recently for failing to ice big games with field goals.
Pearce’s winning field goal came on the back of a seven tackle set after a golden point kick in general play from Saints halfback Josh McCrone’s just dribbled over the dead-ball. It is a game in inches.
“The seven tackles got us in good field position and it was good to nail,” Pearce said. “We were hoping to get them at the back end of the game and it went to script. Hopefully we gave the soldiers something to be proud of.”
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was delighted for Pearce.
“It’s a real credit to him — I think we have all seen him grow up in rugby league,” Robinson said.
Roosters skipper Jake Friend added: “Pearcey’ is a clutch player and we wanted the footy in his hands. It was awesome. He iced it.”
Dragons skipper Gareth Widdop hobbled off near halftime with a grade one medial tear. He will be missing for three to four weeks.
It was yet another highly-charged and emotional day on Tuesday. The Anzac match in Sydney is without doubt the most moving day on the rugby league calendar.
The Last Post, the Ode, Reveille. Proud Australians watching their beloved footy with tears in their eyes.
It is always an eerie moment when an ANZAC record crowd 40,864 raucous and excited fans fall peaceful during the traditional minute’s silence.
Saints didn’t deserve to lose. They play a power game that will be suited to semi-final football. They are the real deal this year.
Dragons fullback Josh Dugan kicked a pressure conversion in the 77th minute from out wide to send the game into extra time.
This game had everything.
“You don’t lose friends playing like that,” said Dragons coach Paul McGregor. “We won’t go away from teams, we’ll keep fighting.”
Four players from Tuesday’s match will be in contention for the Australian Test side to be announced on Wednesday at 11am — Dugan, Tyson Frizell, Boyd Cordner and Blake Ferguson.
Cordner was superb for the Roosters again.
St George Illawarra’s first half defence was commendable. In fact, they missed just one tackle in the first 23 minutes.
Dugan came from the field in the 58th minute for a concussion test. He wasn’t happy.
“It was just a really good game of footy,” Robinson said. “Two teams ready to play and not ready to give up many points.
“They kept coming at each other. Both teams stood toe-to-toe for 80 minutes before going into extra time. It was a high-quality game. No-one was going to give up in that arm-wrestle. They (Dragons) lost the game but they didn’t lose any credibility.”
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