Pearce, not Origin snub worries Prince
Alarm bells are ringing for Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince - but not due to his latest State of Origin snub.
In keeping with his rotten Origin luck of the past, Prince was a glaring omission when Queensland named their 25-strong squad for the series opener on May 25 in Brisbane.
At 31, the former Test No.7 would be forgiven for thinking time is running out to earn his first Maroons nod since 2008.
But Prince said on Friday he was more worried about lining up against another No.7 hoping to push his Origin claims - Sydney Roosters' Mitchell Pearce.
Prince may claim to have not known that the Queensland selectors were due to name an Origin squad this week - but he is well aware of the pressure on the Roosters, namely Pearce.
Just like the Titans, the Roosters will arrive at Skilled Park on Saturday reeling from a 2-5 season start.
And all eyes are on Pearce to help stop the rot - particularly with Origin on the horizon and no Todd Carney.
"It is always nice to play against quality players - and Mitchell Pearce is certainly one of them," Prince said.
"And I have been reading that he has to step up...that is warning signs for us."
A dominant game over NSW's likely halfback would do wonders for Prince's Origin claims.
Not that he is losing much sleep over it.
"Personally it is the furtherest thing from my mind," he said of Origin.
"My focus is the Titans and getting them back into the winners' circle and playing good, consistent footy."
However, Titans coach John Cartwright wasn't reading too much into Prince not being considered one of Queensland's top 25 players.
"We have seen from those squads (in the past) that it doesn't mean a lot," Cartwright said.
"If someone can play themselves into form opinions and selections change pretty quickly."
Prince had come under fire during the Titans' poor start with Eels flyer Chris Walker accusing his former Gold Coast teammate of playing "in a dinner suit" this season.
But Titans veteran Preston Campbell - tipped to return from a month-long knee injury on Saturday - gave an insight into the burden Prince carries each week at the club.
"Princey's a bloke who has a lot on his shoulders - he has a lot of pressure," he said on Friday.
"It is a bit unfortunate that Princey missed out (on the Origin squad) but when the team isn't going well they (selectors) look at the key players.
"And you have to play well as a football club for blokes to stand out (for Origin)."
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