Phil Gould believes recalled NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce is primed to deliver for the Blues in the State of Origin decider after so much heartache.
Ahead of his 19th Origin appearance, Pearce sat down with Gould for an interview to be aired before the match on Wednesday.
Gould said he saw major changes in the playmaker compared to the last time he represented NSW in 2017.
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And he is confident Pearce will lead the Blues to victory with a newfound comfort in his abilities.
"Just talking to him today, he seemed to be in a different frame of mind. It's a different team," Gould told 100% Footy.
"Some of these players he'll be familiar with, but some he's really excited to play with.
"I got the feeling today that there was a calmness about him that maybe he hasn't had prior in his career.
"I said to him, 'You debuted in 2008 as a 19-year-old – in hindsight, do you think you were ready?' He said, 'No'.
"He said, 'I always tried hard, I always gave 100 per cent, but no, I wasn't ready. And he said, 'It gave me self doubts along the way."
Gus on Mitchell Pearce's return to the #Origin arena. #9WWOS #NRL #100PercentFooty | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/oQwvao6vBR
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) July 8, 2019
The perennial punching bag for critics in the past, Pearce has undeservedly been pilloried in Gould's eyes.
The most successful NSW coach said Pearce was always the finest halfback the state had even when he failed to clinch a series win against a history-making Queensland side.
"The one point I want to make about Mitchell Pearce – this will be his 19th Origin. That's a pretty special performance," Gould said.
"And all those Origins where he was criticised because NSW lost and he didn't get it done, we didn't have anyone else.
"He was the best we had. This is the 19th time he's been attested the best halfback in NSW. And he is.
"He's our hope. He's the one that's got to get it done this time."
