Mitchell Pearce has agreed with Andrew Johns’s scathing assessment of the New South Wales capitulation in game two of State of Origin.

Johns described the second-half collapse against Queensland in Sydney as the “dumbest” football the southerners have ever played.

Blues' greatest ever halfback copped a spray from some in the NSW hierarchy for that outburst, but Pearce says the former Knight was absolutely correct in his assessment - after the Blues squandered their chance to claim just their second series in 12 years by losing after leading 16-6 in the 60th minute.

“I spoke to Joey after; there were some points he raised that were very accurate,” Pearce said on Wednesday. “There was some dumb footy.

“We lost some control in the second half, so Joey was right in a few areas he raised. He is a passionate NSW fan, like we all are. We’re all passionate people - we don’t like losing.

“He's the greatest player to pull on this No.7 jersey that we've ever seen. He’s an Immortal of the game; he reads the play better than anyone.”

Pearce said the Blues must keep their foot on QLD’s throat should they get the upper hand in next Wednesday’s decider in Brisbane.

“We set up shop and probably stopped being the hunter and lost that momentum – a lot of errors and poor discipline came off the back of that. It’s hard to watch but that’s how you learn," he added.

“When you try and hold on to a win you lose your momentum pretty quick especially in Origin against the quality players they’ve got.”

The last time Pearce played in a decider at Suncorp Stadium the Blues were smashed in a record 52-6 defeat.

But the halfback said the team had not spoken about that “disaster” and likely wouldn’t.

“That game was a disaster,” Pearce said. “I haven’t thought about that game this week to be honest so far.”