Mitch Pearce has staked his claim for a return to the State of Origin arena after putting on a masterclass in the Sydney Roosters' 36-4 NRL win over the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium.
The Roosters halfback orchestrated a first-half blitz, setting up three tries in the space of six minutes as the Roosters broke a four-game losing streak.
First he put up a bomb which Boyd Cordner batted back for a Sio Siua Taukeiaho four-pointer. A short time later Cordner had a try of his own when he ran onto a neat short ball from Pearce.
The No.7 turned provider again when he bombed for Daniel Tupou who leapt high to get his second as the Roosters led 22-0 at halftime.
He put the icing on the cake in the 70th minute when he pounced on a loose ball, soccered it through before regathering and scoring.
Pearce went into the match looking to prove to NSW selectors he was deserving of winning back the Blues halfback spot he lost to Trent Hodkinson last year and did his claims a world of good with a starring performance.
What would have also been pleasing to Blues coach Laurie Daley was the Roosters' left-side combination - of Boyd Cordner, Michael Jennings and Tupou - which looked dangerous all night.
Tupou made a timely rebound to form, scoring three tries in a strong bid to retain his Blues spot that some had suggested was under pressure.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson praised his playmaker, saying Pearce had learnt to shrug off the pressure when under the spotlight.
"Mitchell really set up the first half," Robinson said.
"He was instrumental in support play and delivering some passes, his kick to Toups (Tupou) as well. In the second half he moved around both sides of the park.
"It was a good performance."
Tigers coach Jason Taylor said he was proud of his side's second-half performance, but they were blown away by the Roosters' forwards in the first 40 minutes.
"I said to the boys before the game that this was our biggest test this year and I was really confident it would be because we were playing against a side who are genuine premiership contenders," Taylor said.
"They had lost four games in a row and but they weren't playing poorly, they were playing well.
"That was going to be a semi-final type game and it was. To get a chance to play in a game like that in May was great. We're disappointed."
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