Laurie Daley says Mitchell Pearce's NSW career won't be over if Queensland win an eighth successive State of Origin series on Wednesday.
Ever since he was appointed as Ricky Stuart's replacement last year, Daley has maintained Pearce would be his first-choice No.7 and expects the Sydney Roosters star to be in place next year.
Pearce has admitted he doesn't expect to be given another crack at the Maroons in 2014 should he fail once again to guide the Blues to a first series win since 2005 after three years in the role.
However, Daley said he has never entertained the prospect of axing the 24-year-old.
"That is not my expectation. He may feel that, but he's a great kid and he'll be on the scene for a number of years," Daley said.
"He's just got to play his role and we'll give ourselves a chance.
"I've never spoke to him about the last chance or anything about that ... just the team and everything around him."
Pearce has been a target for criticism from Blues fans for what many perceive to be a poor kicking game, but Daley said it was up to the rest of the side to give Pearce the platform to lead the side around the field.
"That's what frustrates me sometimes with Mitch - people are always giving it to him when it goes wrong," he said.
"There's plenty of things we need to do well and, if we do them, then Mitch is a great player to have.
"But any halfback will tell you - if it isn't happening across the team, everyone will struggle."
Daley is also hopeful his side will be given a fair go by referees Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins.
The Blues were privately seething after losing the penalty count 8-5 in a first half dominated by Queensland as they laid the foundations for their 26-6 win in game two.
One of the issues that caused the most ire was a strip on Ryan Hoffman that went unpunished by Hayne and a belief the 10-metre rule was not being consistently enforced.
The Hoffman incident led to the build-up of the second try scored by Darius Boyd and Daley has met referees boss Daniel Anderson to clarify how the game will be officiated.
Ashley Klein was axed for game three with Hayne kept on, but the feeling among some members of the NSW management is that the wrong man was dropped by Anderson.
Daley was diplomatic when asked what he thought of the choice of officials but hopes Hayne and Cummins will be consistent to both sides.
"I'd like to think NSW would be given a fair crack," Daley said.
"We were aware of the things they were looking for (in game two) ... but that's the way it goes sometimes when you play in front of hostile home crowds.
"There were things that were out of our control and you'd like to think after 20 minutes this time, we'll have more than 20 per cent of possession.
"But we need to be strong in our discipline."
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