Former NSW coach Ricky Stuart says halfback Mitchell Pearce unfairly copped the brunt for failing to lead the Blues to victories against the greatest State of Origin team ever assembled.
Pearce has been recalled for the Origin decider on Wednesday, getting his shot at redemption after being the scapegoat for seven losing series.
Stuart believes the Queensland side which won eight straight shields between 2006 and 2013 will never be repeated, and Pearce shouldn't be held solely responsible for the losses.
"We don't have to worry about Mitch winning the game for us (on Wednesday), but he'll have a big hand in it if we do win the game," Stuart told NRL 360.
"I feel sorry for Mitch, he's copped a lot of criticism over the years. Basically, he's the one that has had to carry the load of us losing a lot of Origin games against, well you'll never ever seen a greater Origin era or period or team than the one he had to play against.
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"There were a number of series there we were winning but then (didn't) and Mitch has to carry the burden of that.
"But he's copped it, he's quite a resilient kid and toughed it out and got his opportunity again, and is playing against a completely different Queensland team on Wednesday night."
Queensland legend Cooper Cronk, who famously signed with the Sydney Roosters and forced Pearce to Newcastle last year, backed the recall of the 30-year-old.
"He has to dominate. He can't take a step back and let (five-eighth James) Maloney go, because the game needs someone to take a hold of it," Cronk said.
"Pearce is the type of player that needs to go to the game because if the game doesn't come to him, he'll end up being a foil."
The bookies have NSW at $1.38 to clinch back-to-back shields for the first time since 2005, but Stuart said you could never write off the Maroons.
"When their backs are against the wall that's when they're most dangerous," he said.
