Blues star Rachael Pearson has revealed that family heartbreak is driving her for the Women’s State of Origin series, with NSW players rallying around the devastated half.
Pearson, who is preparing to play in her second Origin series when the women compete at Parramatta Stadium on Thursday night, is reeling after the death of her beloved grandfather Barry just after entering team camp last week.
But she never doubted that she would continue to train with the squad and continue to star in the blockbuster: because that’s exactly what her grandfather would have wanted.
The 29-year-old recently signed with the Eels for the upcoming NRLW season after playing in the strong Dragons side of Jamie Soward and skilfully pulling the strings as an extremely talented half.
Hailing from the small town of Hay in Riverina, the multi-talented athlete previously played junior cricket for the ACT and also for the Young Matildas; revealed that their shared passion for sports was the subject of her last conversation with her grandfather.
Blues half Rachael Pearson is reeling after the death of her grandfather Barry ahead of the first State of Origin game on Thursday
Blues teammates like Jess Sergis (center), led by skipper Kezie Apps (right), have gathered around the devastated star (left) as she prepares to honor her grandfather by playing in the game
Pearson has been a star for Jamie Soward’s Dragons NRLW side, and her deadly right boot will be key for NSW this Thursday
“This is where he (Grandfather Barry) would like me to be. He really loved my sport and everything related to my sports career, not just rugby league, but [also] cricket, touch and football,” she told the The Sydney Morning Herald ahead of game one on Thursday.
‘He was just a crazy sports fanatic, deeply involved in the local cricket club. Sport is very important to my family.
“One of the last conversations I had with him was about joining Parramatta this season. It was always a conversation about sports, what I do, how I go, or who I play against.’
The clearly devastated Pearson can take some solace in knowing that he’s seen her fulfill her NRL dream.
The support of her Blues teammates is also another valuable source of comfort as she struggles with the swirling emotions following her grandfather’s death.
Led by beloved skipper Kezie Apps, who has played alongside Pearson for many years, the tight-knit Blues squad has gathered around their star half.
Blues skipper Kezie Apps, pictured lifting last year’s Origin trophy, said “when one of us hurts, we all hurt” in a touching show of empathy and solidarity with Pearson
Pearson said the last conversation she had with her grandfather was about her move from the Dragons (pictured) to the Eels, revealing that the whole family absolutely loves sports.
Blues players ensure they rally behind the heartbroken star as the team prepares for Thursday’s game against the Maroons
The dynamic center pairing of Jess Sergis (second from left) and Isabelle Kelly (right) will be crucial for coach Kylie Hilder (retained by Sergis and Kelly) as NSW go back-to-back this year
Pearson said he was quite “upset” after learning of Barry’s death at the start of the squad’s camp to prepare for game one, but teammates went the extra mile in a touching show of empathy and solidarity.
“They really took care of me this week. It is clear that on the first day I was quite upset when I entered the camp. Kezie [Apps] drew us all in a circle and made sure that if one of us is in pain, we are all in pain,” she said.
“We’re a family, a kind of connected group, and every day someone will say, ‘How are you?’
Sydney is a whopping 450 miles from the tight-knit and sporty town of Hay, where Pearson’s love of sports was nurtured, but she said those teammates were like second family as she came to terms with the family’s heartbreak.
Her family in Hay is planning their patriarch’s funeral, but Pearson said they would still make the trip to see her in her second State of Origin game.
NSW are hot favorites to win for the second year in a row, with Pearson and new halves partner, Knights whiz kid Jesse Southwell, poised to pull the strings of a star-studded squad.
Apps and Millie Boyle will lead a powerful striker, while the dynamic pairing of Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly is sure to give the Queensland defense nightmares at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium.
The match kicks off at 7:45pm and will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and Kayo. Pearson wants to honor her grandfather’s memory with a victory.