‘Rat’ represents in Origin game

By Kimberly Grabham.

Our homegrown superstar Rachael (Rat) Pearson exhibited a standout performance in the first of three State of Origin games.

Her kicks were 100 per cent, with Rachael kicking five goals.

Her play was described as game-changing.

A total of 25,492 people attended the game at Lang Park, smashing last year's record by 7,000.

The 30-year-old drilled a dropout to the sideline that signalled the start of NSW’s first-half supremacy.

Pearson continued to kick skilfully, showing the calf injury that had hindered her this month was not an issue, and made a try-saving one-on-one tackle on Tarryn Aiken in the second half of the game.

Rachael’s cousin Emily Bass gave the Maroons the final say for the game, crossing in the corner to close the gap to 22-12 at the final siren.

Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder’s decision to replace teen hit Jesse Southwell with our hometown halfback Rachael was described by The Sydney Morning Herald as a surprise masterstroke.

Hilder told The Sydney Morning Herald she knew all along that she made the right decision picking Pearson over Southwell.

“I thought Rachael was outstanding,” coach Hilder said.

“She did her job and exactly what I asked her to, did exactly what we expected her to do, and it was the reason I picked her.

"Rachael is a great half in that she controls the game, has a great kicking game.

“We lacked that last year.

"She is really fit, she's ready to go and she just fits the way we want to play and still want to play.”

Blues and Maroons will face off for game two in the series in Newcastle on June 3.

The final game will take place in Townsville three weeks later.

Image: NSW Blues.