Off- field antics concern Farah
NSW vice- captain Robbie Farah admits alcohol- fuelled controversies threw the Blues’ State of Origin campaign into disarray last year and says Mitchell Pearce should have known better.
Pearce is said to be battling to retain the trust of Blues coach Laurie Daley after being ejected from two Sydney establishments on Saturday night and arrested in Kings Cross for failing to leave a licensed premises.
The halfback’s big night out came just 10 days before Daley names his NSW squad next Tuesday for the Origin series opener against Queensland in Brisbane on May 28.
Pearce’s brush with the law also followed winger Blake Ferguson and prop James Tamou being kicked out of the Blues’ squad last year after alcohol- related incidents led to police charges.
‘‘ It’s something we went through last year. Obviously it disrupted our camp last year with Fergo, and Jimmy Tamou had his little incident with drink- driving,’’ Farah said.
‘‘ So that threw our campaign into disarray and I spoke to ‘ Junior’ [ Pearce] yesterday and he was really disappointed and down on himself.’’
Farah said he and fellow NSW team- mate Jarryd Hayne were only plotting Queensland’s downfall with Pearce last week over dinner.
‘‘ And he’s had a slip- up and cost him,’’ Farah said.
‘‘ It’s disappointing and, as said to him, ‘ you’ve got to be smarter about situations you put yourself in’.’’
Farah said losing suspended hardman Greg Bird and injured front- rower Andrew Fifita for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium was also a worry for the Blues.
‘‘ Obviously it is concerning when you’ve got players like Greg Bird and Fifita missing out, but I can’t change that. I can’t worry about that,’’ the hooker said ahead of his comeback this weekend for Wests Tigers after himself being sidelined with a dislocated elbow.
‘‘ I’m just worried about myself and getting in there to camp from day one and doing everything I can for NSW and the other 16 guys that will get picked I’m sure will be doing the same.
‘‘ The 17 they pick, I guarantee they put that jersey on and they’ll go out and give their all for NSW.’’
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