Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce has missed his last 18 field-goal attempts, dating back to 2011

MITCHELL Pearce for Origin? Maybe not. The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Roosters halfback has missed his last 18 field-goal attempts, dating back to 2011.

THESE are the statistics NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley must take on board when deciding whether to hand the Blues No.7 jumper back to Mitchell Pearce.

Pearce and Sydney Roosters halves partner Luke Keary have been in brilliant form over the opening five rounds of the NRL season, and will be tough to stop when they run out against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

But for all of his star qualities, including his running game and tough defence, Pearce’s ability to slot a field-goal — and often at crucial stages of a game — is becoming a concern.

GUERRA GETS MAROONS BACKING

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Pearce has now missed his last 18 field-goal attempts, which dates back to 2011, and includes his two botched attempts against Manly last Friday night.

Fifteen of those 18 attempts have come after 70 minutes or in golden-point extra time.

To put that into perspective, Queensland pair Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston have nailed 10 of their last 18 attempts.

And given so many Origin game are decided by a point or two, Daley knows he will need a playmaker capable of holding his nerve and adding the extras when the game is on the line.

James Maloney and Adam Reynolds are handy in that department, as is makeshift five-eighth Matt Moylan.

Pearce’s kicking leaves a lot to be desired.

Daley said he was not too worried by Pearce’s miserable field-goal record, and was looking forward to seeing his form over the next month.

“I don’t have a theory on that record, and it doesn’t worry me,’’ Daley said. “He’s going well, but there’s plenty of footy left between now and the first Origin game.’’

Pearce conceded after the Manly loss he should have nailed a 72nd minute attempt in front of the sticks. His first was charged down.

“It just floated to the right. I was disappointed not to hit that one,’’ Pearce said.

League Central podcast: Dave Riccio, Michael Carayannis and Fiona Bollen discuss how Cronk will go without Smith and Slater if he plays on.

Roosters teammate Michael Gordon said Pearce and Keary had spent time kicking field goals at least once a week at training — and few hit a ball sweeter than ‘Junior’.

“We have full confidence in him kicking one,’’ Gordon said.

“He strikes the ball well, he’s a great drop-kicker. We’ve practised a lot over the pre-season, and if we’re in that situation, Pearcey and Luke are both set and ready to go. He does hit them so sweetly.’’

Pearce will head north on Thursday night, and the next time he steps on to Suncorp could be the Origin opener on May 31.

Brisbane opposite Ben Hunt this week said Pearce was ‘’the best halfback in the game at the moment’’ and appeared a certainty to return to the Blues team after not being considered last year.

Hunt also struggles when it comes to slotting field goals under pressure.

“He’s got to be their first half picked,’’ Hunt said of Pearce.

“He’s the in-form half of the competition. If the Blues leave him out, they’ll be making a big mistake.’’

But Roosters coach Trent Robinson was not buying into the Origin hype for his reformed halfback, who this time last year was still serving an eight-match suspension for his well-documented Australia Day antics.

“I thought he (Pearce) progressed the back-end of last year and then came into this year with good form, he’s on track and the cliches come out — as long as he’s playing well this week and his life is in good order,’’ Robinson said.