‘If one of us is hurting, we’re all hurting’: NSW band together during emotional week
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It’s been an emotional week for Blues’ halfback Rachael Pearson, whose grandfather, Barry, died after she entered Origin camp last week.
But there’s no place he would rather she was, Pearson said – and when she steps out at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night for game one of the series, she’ll be playing in his memory.
“This is where he would want me to be. He really loved my sport and everything to do with my sporting career, not just rugby league, but [also] cricket, touch and soccer,” said Pearson.
“He was just a mad sports fanatic, heavily involved in the local cricket club. Sport is a massive thing for my family. One of the last conversations I had with him was about starting at Parramatta this season. It was always a conversation around sport, what I’m doing, how I’m going, or who I’m playing against.”
Pearson signed a three-year deal with the Parramatta Eels this season after playing with the Dragons in the NRLW last year.
The 29-year-old has been “looked after” by her teammates, who have proved a huge support in the lead-up to Thursday night’s clash.
Blues halfback Rachael Pearson at training ahead of Thursday night’s Origin game.Credit: NRL Imagery
“They’ve really looked after me this week,” Pearson said. “Obviously coming into camp I was fairly upset on day one. Kezie [Apps] pulled us all into a circle and made sure that if one of us is hurting, we’re all hurting. We’re a family, sort of connected group, and each day someone will say, ‘How are you going’?”
“It’s just been nice having that, away from family at this tough time. They’re planning the funeral, but they’re all still coming up to support me on Thursday night.”
Pearson made her Origin debut last year and started her NRLW career in the back end of her 20s, after playing and coaching in her home town of Hay in south-western NSW.
“It was emotional. There’s an interview from last year where I just cried in the interview, which I didn’t really mean to do, it was just overwhelming,” Pearson said.
Rachael Pearson played for the Dragons last year, but has signed a three-year deal with the Roosters starting in 2023.Credit: Getty
Last year, Pearson was paired in the halves with Kirra Dibb, but this year she will be joined by Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Newcastle young gun Jesse Southwell.
“She’s a young 18-year-old, but she’s very calm out there, and I’m really excited to be playing alongside her,” she said. “So far in camp it has been smooth sailing, we have connected really well.”
Despite having already played in, and won, a series last year, Pearson said it would be just as special pulling on the Blues jersey for a second time on Thursday night.
“Origin is a massive game on the women’s rugby league calendar, and it’s a game that everyone wants to be in and everyone wants to play in.”
“To hang out to the No.7 spot, it’s exciting, and I just can’t wait to get out there, and I have that extra motivation now to beat those Maroons.”
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