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NSW Origin Team

May 26, 2013 by · Comments Off on NSW Origin Team 

NSW Origin Team, Laurie Daley admits he tossed and turned over who to choose as the NSW five-eighth, but James Maloney’s calming influence on Mitchell Pearce was the reason for his selection over incumbent No 6 Todd Carney.

Maloney and Blues halfback Pearce have formed a fine understanding at the Sydney Roosters since his arrival at the club from the Warriors this year and Daley said the success of the pair together in the first half of the season won him over.

‘‘What swayed it in James’ favour is the control Mitchell has been showing at the Roosters this year with James in that team,’’ Daley said.

‘‘I just think he needed a calmer, more composed player alongside him. I am not saying Todd isn’t, but Mitchell at the moment seems to have found his rhythm and for me that is very important.’’

With Carney not playing until Monday, Daley made up his mind early last week to go with Maloney, but still had to convince himself he was making the right decision by watching the Roosters against Melbourne on Saturday.

Although they went down 26-18 to the premiers, he was pleased with what he saw from the 26-year-old.

‘‘I had Maloney in mind from the start of the week, given that I knew Todd couldn’t have pushed his case any further,’’ he said.

‘‘I really wanted to be clear on where I was heading before this week’s football.‘‘But I still wanted to be sure even though I’d made my decision that everything was OK and after watching his game last night everything was.’’

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