Posted June 17, 2017 09:01:41

Photo: These two long-time team-mates are still waiting to enjoy Origin success. (AAP)

They have played most of their lives together and have won a premiership together, but an Origin triumph still eludes Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney.

Four years after being dropped from the Blues, the players have rekindled their halves combination as they attempt to finally add an Origin series win to their football careers.

"I'm yet to play in a winning series for State of Origin," Maloney said.

"There's a lot of desire to make that happen."

After losing the series decider by two points in 2013, the pair were overlooked for the Blues side that won in 2014.

But Maloney and Pearce have fought their way back in, and after winning game one are ready to wrap up the series.

"It's a great opportunity for us, New South Wales have been crying out for some success, we've had to endure years of heartbreak," Maloney said.

Photo: Mitchell Pearce says he knows Queensland will respond strongly in game II. (AAP: Dave Hunt)

"But after game one there's a sense of the tide turning for New South Wales, but there's still a lot of footy to go if we're to seal it up."

Pearce believes the both he and Maloney are now playing some of their best football.

"I love playing with Jimmy, we've had a really winning combination at the Roosters, three minor premierships, and won the comp," he said.

"We take a lot of confidence out of playing with each other and know how to get the results.

"But we've been in this situation plenty of times and not come up with the series, so we know Queensland are going to be tenfold better this game."

Pearce has suffered the most series defeats of any player in the current squad — six in all.

Photo: James Maloney has tasted an NRL premiership, but not an Origin series win. (AAP: Paul Miller)

Over that time he has received plenty of criticism, which he admits was hard to take.

But Pearce's perseverance could finally pay off on Wednesday night, and Maloney says there is nothing more he would like to see happen for his team-mate.

"Knowing Mitch so well, probably a lot of the criticism he got, it got targeted at him when it wasn't his doing," Maloney said.

"It would be great to get a bit of satisfaction being able to seal the series."

Pearce simply says he is trying not to get ahead of himself.

"I don't want to overthink it."

"It's another massive opportunity for myself and the other boys here, these games don't come around too often."

Topics: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, nsw, australia