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NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce believes Jarryd Hayne is best suited to playing fullback, adding to the conundrum over where to pick the Parramatta star in this year's State of Origin series.

An impressive Pearce essentially played halves partner Hayne out of the City-Country match in Mudgee on Sunday, doing wonders for his own Origin prospects but leaving serious doubt about the Eel's capability of wearing the No.6 for the Blues.

NSW coach Ricky Stuart had publicly earmarked Hayne as a potential Blues five-eighth but, with Cronulla playmaker Todd Carney continuing to press his case, the 24-year-old may have to be accommodated elsewhere.

Whether that is on the wing or even at centre will be a key issue for Stuart over the next fortnight. That is unless, of course, he is against the reasoning for Hayne's shock omission from the first game of last year's series when the coach said he believed fullback was not his best position.

Pearce, almost certain to retain his spot as NSW halfback for Origin I in Melbourne on May 23, believes Hayne is best placed at his club position. ''I think Jarryd Hayne is still an option there,'' Pearce said yesterday. ''I reckon he's probably more natural at fullback, for sure. He can play anywhere obviously because he's a great player but with his instincts and stuff I think he's probably better suited to fullback. I'm not saying that he can't play other places either but I think that's definitely his natural position.''

Stuart had originally regarded Josh Dugan and Brett Stewart as the leading options to be NSW fullback this year but both have been absent through injury in the past month. Brett Morris has done well since his switch from wing at St George Illawarra but Hayne's herculean effort in defeat against the Sharks nine days ago demonstrated he must at least be considered for the Blues No.1 spot.

Then there is the forgotten man, the incumbent NSW fullback, Pearce's Sydney Roosters teammate Anthony Minichiello. The 31-year-old veteran of 11 Origins was unavailable for City-Country due to a hip flexor strain but goes directly up against Morris at Allianz Stadium tomorrow in the annual Anzac Day meeting with the Dragons.

''I know the Origin arena. I've been there before. Ricky knows what I can do,'' said Minichiello, selected for the final two games of last year's interstate series after Dugan was injured. ''I saw Ricky a couple of months ago here, I caught up with him. We just had a general catch-up, we spoke a bit about footy and other things. I haven't spoken to him in the last few weeks.''

While Minichiello can offer a reminder of his representative credentials in front of a big crowd tomorrow, Pearce approaches the short turnaround as a chance to reclaim the Blues' halfback's jersey.

A mixed start to the year for the Roosters brought out the knockers but the 23-year-old's display in Mudgee was highly convincing. Minichiello hopes their club combination will work in his favour at the NSW selection table.

''He has copped a bit of criticism. But he's a tough kid and he bounced back and showed what he's all about and controlled the game nicely,'' Minichiello said. ''Knowing his game inside out, and likewise for him, is always a benefit in representative teams.''