This was published 7 years ago
State of Origin 2017: Mitchell Pearce forced off amidst Andrew Fifita's masterclass
By Adrian Proszenko
- Match Report: Fifita stars as Blues smash Maroons
- Player Ratings: How New South Wales fared
- Player Ratings: How Queensland fared
Mitchell Pearce had an unforgettable return to State of Origin. Although he is unlikely to remember any of it.
As is often the case with Pearce at this level, his performance leaves you with more questions than answers. He finished on the winning team, a feat that has occurred for just the fifth time in 16 appearances, but wasn't on the field to finish the job.
Pearce's evening finished just 50 minutes into proceedings. The NSW halfback collided with Will Chambers in one of those sickening blows in which he came off second best.
The Melbourne centre faces a one-game ban for his hit after being charged with a grade one careless high tackle.
Mixed bag: Mitchell Pearce applauds the away fans after the opening game. Credit: Getty Images
Pearce was helped off after trying to get to his feet before collapsing back to the ground, but was given a clean bill of health afterwards despite the concussion scare.
Chambers would have been eligible for a fine given the low grade nature of the charge, but has already been slugged monetary penalties twice this season. Michael Morgan was charged with a grade one dangerous throw for his tackle on David Klemmer. He won't miss a game with an early guilty plea.
In the early years of Origin, Pearce would have stumbled, staggered back to his feet and gotten back into the defensive line. But in the modern game, where officials are more cognisant of the danger of head knocks, he was taken from the field and didn't return.
However, we saw enough in his latest coming as an Origin player to suggest that better times are ahead.
The Blues forward pack finally laid a platform from which Pearce could operate. Moments before the halftime buzzer, he took advantage. With just 23 seconds left on the clock and the Maroons gasping for air, Pearce crossed the tryline after benefiting from the lead up work of Wade Graham and James Tedesco.
Man-mountain: Andrew Fifita carts the ball up.Credit: Getty Images
However, it was Pearce's kicking game that was most instructive. He produced a mixed bag - most of his bombs were calmly defused by their target, Corey Oates. Some found the ground, one of them gave the hosts a seven-tackle set. He was not as dominant as his team ultimately proved, but perhaps he is a step closer to transferring his club form into the Origin arena.
The only time the Blues have broken Queensland's winning sequence was when Pearce wasn't in the side. But after thumping the Maroons in front of their own fans, there is every chance that could change.
None of it would be possible if not for Andrew Fifita.
Midway through his Origin masterclass, former teammate Beau Ryan tweeted: "Andrew Fifita. Best prop in the world."
On this evidence, it is difficult to argue.
You only have to look at his figures. Ten runs. 119 metres. 14 tackles. One try assist.
And that was just at halftime.
One can only wonder what numbers he would have racked up had he not been forced off the field for a head injury assessment.
Fifita came off after being dazed courtesy of a Josh Maguire tackle. That was the only respite Queensland got. The big bopper came back and wreaked more havoc. Not content with setting up tries, he even scored one as well.
The 27 year old was on the spot when Justin O'Neill fumbled the ball in front of his posts. There could not have been a more deserving beneficiary.
Talk about State of Origin and immediately you think about the traditional 'softening up period'. It was during these exchanges, the most brutal of the contest, in which Fifita stamped his authority. The Blues crossed twice in the opening stanza and Fifita was heavily involved in the lead up to both.
He left a trail of Canetoad carcasses, including Matt Gillett and Nate Myles, in his wake for the first, while still having the presence of mind to offload to Sharks teammate and eventual tryscorer James Maloney. It's the sort of play that was the trademark of another big prop who stamped his legend in the very first Origin of them all. Big Artie would have been proud.
In an interview earlier this year, Fifita said, following the Kieran Loveridge debacle, that "I was the world's most hated man."
Not anymore. Just the most hated man in Queensland.