"He actually went pretty good on the Ultra-G (treadmill)," Alexander told the Herald. "We just didn't have the luxury of holding off on making a decision for that long. Mitchell Pearce is back in the State of Origin arena. Credit:AAP "It was a difficult decision, of course, but one that had to be made." NSW coach Brad Fittler then made the call to Pearce, who will have the weight of the state on his shoulders when he partners James Maloney in the halves in front of an 80,000-strong crowd at ANZ Stadium.

He has been one of the form players in the competition for a resurgent Newcastle team this season and will now get an opportunity for Origin redemption. Loading Pearce pulled on the sky blue jersey for NSW 18 times across seven series during Queensland's golden era but is yet to steer the Blues to a series victory. Alexander said the coaching staff were always leaning towards calling Pearce into camp, rather than starting Wade Graham in the halves and risking the possibility of being short a playmaker should Maloney or the Newcastle captain be struck down by injury, just as Cleary was late in the first half of Origin II. "We just thought that we needed another half in the side," Alexander said.

"We didn't want the same thing happening in game two to happen in game three and then be left without a halfback. "In Jack (Wighton) we had an option there as a running five-eighth and with Wade (Graham) we have a back-rower who we'd have to shift into the halves. "Wade also gives us a few different options off the bench and we wanted that cover. "Those guys are both skillful enough to fill the void there but it for us, it was probably just too risky. "(Pearce) was always the one we were going to go for if Nathan was unavailable - he's been in great form for Newcastle."

Alexander said Pearce was "pumped" to be called into camp. "He can't wait," he said. Nathan Cleary addresses the media in Sydney on Tuesday morning. Credit:AAP Pearce will be the centre of attention in the week leading up to Wednesday's decider, just as Cleary had been since Fittler named his team on Monday night. The Penrith halfback worked around the clock and went to every possible length in an attempt to play in the decider. "It's pretty devastating but it's just one of those things that happen with footy," Cleary told Nine.