Andrew Johns wants NSW halves Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce to take on the Queensland line

BLUES halves Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney have been urged to assume greater control of Origin II by running the ball more at Queensland.

BLUES halves Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney have been urged to assume greater control of Origin II by running the ball more at Queensland.

Still reeling from the roller-coaster ride of Origin I, NSW legend Andrew Johns has instructed Pearce and Carney to capitalise on the NSW go-forward by taking on the line.

"I spoke to Joey the other day and he was really helpful. He pointed out some things individually that he thought I could have done better to make the most of our opportunities," Pearce said.

"A lot of what we talked about was running the game.

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"I'm happy with certain areas of what we did in Origin I but there are some areas I can improve to try to capitalise on our good go-forward.

"There were times in the game as a half where I stood back a bit and waited for the next play instead of supporting our forwards and running off the back of them a bit more.

"That's something I'll be concentrating on.

"Toddy's feeling the same thing. In Origin it's not about trying to set up the big play.

"It's about getting the little plays right and supporting the players you've got around you.

"Todd's keen to play to his strengths a lot more. His kicking will improve and it's up to both of us to play off the back of Robbie Farah, who can really cause some damage."

Pearce underlined the commitment in this NSW outfit by shaping up to Queensland enforcer Sam Thaiday and throwing a right hand when Origin I boiled over in the opening half.

This time around, Pearce will again refuse to back down, but his arch-nemesis Thaiday will be missing due to a shoulder injury.

"I wasn't really thinking much at all and then before I knew it I was having a lash (at Thaiday)," Pearce said.

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