The Roosters No.7 has won just four games from 15 Origin appearances and has failed to dominate at that level.

But as the Blues’ in-form player Kimmorley reckons he deserves his shot for Game One.

But if NSW go another way, he says they should never pick him again.

“If they don’t pick Mitchell Pearce because his form has been terrific, then they should retire him from rep football because it’ll mean that he’s got scarring and that they’re fearful that he doesn’t handle State of Origin very well,” Kimmorley told Seven News.

“Pearce deserves to play for NSW in game one this season. He’s the form halfback from the NSW point of view. When he returned from suspension last year, he had Johnathan Thurston-like standards of football games.

“His form this year deserves to be picked in the Origin team.”