Barrett ready to rock with Pearce
Veteran pivot Trent Barrett has seen plenty of New South Wales half-backs come and go but he believes young gun Mitchell Pearce can be the rock on which to build the Blues' next great State of Origin dynasty around.
Magpies lose Ball, Johnson
Collingwood has lost Luke Ball and Ben Johnson to injury for Monday's Queen's Birthday encounter with Melbourne at the MCG.
O'Connor to start against England
James O'Connor was a predictable inclusion at full-back in the Wallabies' starting XV for Saturday night's first Test against England at Subiaco Oval.