sport news The family heartbreak driving a NSW Blues star ahead of women's State of Origin ... trends now
Blues star Rachael Pearson has revealed the family heartbreak driving her ahead of the women's State of Origin series, with NSW players rallying around the devastated half.
Pearson, preparing to play in her second Origin series when the women do battle at Parramatta Stadium on Thursday night, is reeling after the death of her beloved grandfather Barry just after she entered team camp last week.
But there was never any doubt she would continue to train with the side and play in the blockbuster fixture: 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 starring at Jamie Soward's strong Dragons side, pulling the strings expertly as a supremely talented half.
The multi-talented athlete hailing from the tiny Riverina town of Hay, has previously played junior cricket for the ACT and well as stint in the Young Matildas; revealed their shared passion for sport was the topic 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 (centre), led by skipper Kezie Apps (right), have rallied around the devastated star (left) as she prepares to honour her grandfather by playing in the game
Pearson has been a star for Jamie Soward's Dragons NRLW side, and her lethal right boot will be key for NSW this Thursday
'This is where he (grandfather Barry) 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,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of game one on Thursday.
'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,
