NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce has declared the Blues now have no fear of Queensland and are ready to end their five-year domination of Origin in game three.
Pearce is excited by the chance to dethrone the Maroons on Wednesday week, rather than be intimidated by their star-studded side.
''We can beat them in game three, for sure,'' Pearce said. ''I feel really confident. There's no arrogance or cockiness about anyone. I know I'm still nervous but excited about the challenge and not intimidated by it. We used to think we can win, now we know we can.''
In the wake of the Blues' dominant win over the Maroons in game two, Pearce conceded that, as fans had long thought, the NSW players were in awe of Queensland.
''There was a lack of confidence beforehand,'' he said. ''We were overawed. But last match was probably the first time I've seen [Johnathan] Thurston and [Darren] Lockyer put under pressure for the whole 80 minutes. We didn't let off. We were all so hungry and they're class players, so we've really learned that if you give them a sniff then they can pull the game out of the fire - even the other night.''
He admitted that NSW had choked in game one.
''In the last game last year, and the first game of this series, we got in front both times but once we did we probably shit ourselves a bit and got rattled,'' he said. ''We probably felt like we didn't deserve to be there and, all of a sudden, instead of chasing a [big] lead or trying to add to it, we were trying to defend one. You can't do that against Queensland. We learned that the hard way.
''With guys like Luke Lewis and Choc [Anthony] Watmough really using their leg speed and the outside backs doing the same and getting us on the front foot, it gave us more opportunities to attack. We know we can do that now.
''Now that we have the ability to be in front, we deserve to be in front as much as they do and when we are in front we have to attack and not try and hold on to it. Because as soon as you do that, you've got so many great players that, as soon as you rest off for one second, they kill you.''
He is under no illusions as to the threat a wounded Queensland pose at Suncorp Stadium.
''It'll be a lot tougher up there with Locky's last game and the crowd,'' the 22-year-old said. ''The crowd can really change the referees' minds sometimes.''
Pearce will return to the Roosters side for today's clash with the Knights in Newcastle and said, that with Anthony Minichiello, Sean Kenny-Dowall and Sam Perrett all making their comebacks, they should be able to kick-start their finals charge.
He said Todd Carney's display for Newtown last Saturday would boost his confidence.
''I thought Toddy went good for Newtown last weekend. Hopefully it goes a way to helping him get his confidence back because he hasn't been playing with much or backing himself.''
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