Mitchell Pearce says he's grown beyond the player who failed to make an impact at State of Origin level and learnt to get the best out of himself.
Pearce all but sealed a return to the NSW Origin team on Friday night when he helped the Sydney Roosters to a 24-10 win over fierce NRL rivals Canterbury.
The 26-year-old has often been maligned by NSW fans after securing just three wins for his state during 12 Origin appearances.
However he said he had grown up since last wearing the Blues jersey in 2013, the same year he went on to steer the Roosters to a premiership, and was ready to take on Origin again.
"I feel like I know what works for me to play my best," Pearce said.
"Either way, I've got to stick to that week-in, week-out and that's how you play better.
"In the past, I've been worried about other stuff and (now) I just concentrate on the game."
The only question now seems to be whether Pearce will wear the No.7 or No.6 jersey and whether he will be partnered in the halves by Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson or teammate James Maloney.
Pearce and Maloney made a solid statement that they should be paired at Origin level when they thoroughly outplayed Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds in the win over the Bulldogs.
Reynolds was busy in the opening 20 minutes but faded out of the game while Hodkinson failed to make an impact.
The Roosters halves were influential and stood up to the pressure after their side trailed 4-0 in the first half.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Pearce had stepped up in the past two seasons and he was ready for a return to Origin.
"(Pearce) has grown up a lot (since 2013), he's very different," Robinson said.
"He's won a premiership, been our player of the year last year and become captain. He's grown up a lot.
"The simple way I'd say it is he's been a good kid for a long time, now he's a great guy."
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