NSW coach Brad Fittler has snubbed Mitchell Pearce as Freddy keeps same 17

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While Newcastle star Mitchell Pearce was given the flick as the Fittler stuck with the loyal approach for the Sydney decider.

But it was a double blow for the Newcastle Knights with David Klemmer also overlooked.

Klemmer had a broken arm which ruled him out of the second game of the series but it’s seen him miss out on the side.

Fittler admitted he had already spoken to Klemmer with Tariq Sims charged at the judiciary but it didn’t stop some outrage.

The Daily Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield said it was a terrible call to leave Klemmer out of the side.

“It is madness, absolute madness,” he said. “If he’s not the best front-rower in the state I’ll give it away.”

On Wide World of Sports, Paul Gallen wrote a column which argued Klemmer was a must for the Blues.

“I think Klemmer has earned the right to be there,” Gallen wrote. “He’s never done anything wrong in Origin. He’s performed every time he’s run out in a NSW jersey. I can’t see why he should miss out.

“We saw in game one what a difference-maker Klemmer is. NSW lost that second half and ultimately the game because they couldn’t go forward when he was off the field.”

Fittler said it was tough call to leave Klemmer out of the side but praised the big man for his reaction.

“It was a tough one because we love Klem, we love what he’s about,” Fittler said. “It was one of those discussions but he made it easy. It was refreshing, he wished Tariq all the best and if he got the opportunity he’d love to come into camp again.”

Fittler believes Sims has a good chance to beat the wrap on his hit on Michael Morgan last weekend, even though he conceded the NRL is cracking down on late hits on playmakers.

NSW TEAM:

1. James Tedesco

2. Blake Ferguson

3. Tom Trbojevic

4. Jack Wighton

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. James Maloney

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Daniel Saifiti

9. Damien Cook

10. Paul Vaughan

11. Boyd Cordner (c)

12. Tyson Frizell

13. Jake Trbojevic.

Bench:

14. Dale Finucane

15. Tariq Sims

16. Cameron Murray

17. Wade Graham

18. Clinton Gutherson

Pearce was a bolter to return to the Blues at the start of the series on the back of a streak of man-of-the-match performances for the Knights earlier this season.

However, Pearce sensationally turned Fittler down when the NSW coach reportedly sounded him out ahead of the Blues’ selection meetings for Game 2 in Perth after debutant five-eighth Cody Walker was axed.

Pearce was nursing a niggling injury and reportedly claimed he had to knock Fittler back because he couldn’t promise that he would be able to train in the lead up to the game.

The situation was very different leading into the Blues’ team announcement after Pearce declared after Newcastle’s Saturday night win over Brisbane that he wanted to play alongside playmaker James Maloney in the Blues’ halves for the series decider next Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium.

However, those aspirations were knocked on their head by a report from Channel 9’s Danny Weidler on Monday afternoon that Fittler is going in a different direction.

Despite the injury to halfback Nathan Cleary, the Blues will reportedly look to within to replace the Panthers halfback if he is ruled out of the series decider.

The Blues have utility Wade Graham able to step into the five-eighth role, while Eels speedster Clint Gutherson was named 18th man again in game III.

The report claims Gutherson is likely to make his debut in the series decider, should Cleary be ruled out as expected.

Klemmer’s hopes of playing in the series decider ride on the judiciary

It will now cost him a spot in the series decider, unless Dragons enforcer Tariq Sims is suspended by the NRL judiciary for his late hit on Michael Morgan on Saturday.

Sims will appear at the judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to beat a dangerous contact charge.

He needs to get off completely to play in the series decider.

Sims is facing a three-match ban if the NRL match review’s decision is upheld.

Sims collected Cowboys star Michael Morgan with a late high shot that saw North Queensland coach Paul Green blow up after the final siren.

Klemmer made a huge return for the Knights against the Broncos on Saturday — but his selection is still linked to the fate of Sims’ judiciary hearing.

Klemmer told the NRL after his return for the Knights he accepts that teammate Daniel Saifiti shouldn’t lose his spot in the team for Game 3.

“I don’t think he should be flicked, he did a tremendous job from the kick-off and made a statement,” Klemmer said.

“I thought the team they picked last Sunday did a tremendous job. We’ll see what happens, I loved my time there. Whatever Freddie wants me to do I’m prepared to do.”

Meanwhile, Pearce put pressure on Fittler to pick him for the series decider after declaring himself ready to go.

“It’s probably the best I’ve ever felt at the back end of the year,” Pearce said.

“We’ve got nine games to go, it’s the best I’ve felt for a while. Last year I only played as many games as I have now this season. I’m feeling really fresh.”

Should Cleary be ruled out, 18-game Origin veteran Pearce will come into contention to partner former teammate Maloney in the Blues halves at ANZ Stadium on July 10.

Pearce and Maloney steered the Sydney Roosters to a premiership in 2013.

“I love playing with Jimmy. We’re good mates, I went to his wedding,” Pearce said.

“I spent three years with him, we did plenty of things on and off the field in that time. We won a comp. We had a lot of success, we won two minor premierships.

“It was a happy time.”

Pearce’s comments come as NSW coach Brad Fittler insisted he would give Cleary until Thursday to prove his fitness for the decider.

Cleary is expected to be named in an extended squad on Monday night as he attempts to recover from an ankle injury suffered in game two.

His possible inclusion comes after initial fears the Penrith star would be ruled out for up to six weeks.

However, scans revealed a high ankle sprain instead of a dreaded syndesmosis injury, giving him an outside chance of playing in game three.

While Fittler has been reluctant to bring injured players into camp over his tenure, Cleary is set to be an exception given his role within the team.

— with AAP