He's been back all of one week, yet Sydney Roosters halves Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary are already profiting from Jason Taylor's technical tweaks.
Six days after Taylor returned for his second stint as Tricolours assistant NRL coach, the Roosters' attack found a new gear against Parramatta.
Coincidence? Perhaps, but Pearce revealed his heavy influence in Sunday's 48-10 rout was partly inspired by the recently sacked Wests Tigers coach.
"He brought some nice little subtleties to our game last week," Pearce told AAP.
"Just a couple of little changes, so he can have that win.
"He's had a tough time, been battered from pillar to post so it was good to see him enjoy a win."
Fellow playmaker Keary was equally significant, orchestrating three tries in a whole-team performance featuring three Blake Ferguson tries and Latrell Mitchell's razzle-dazzle return to first grade.
"He (Taylor) has added a few little different things in already which has been good for my game personally and helped the whole team," Keary said.
"He's obviously got a very good knowledge of the game, which I picked up pretty early on."
Though maligned as a head coach, former NRL halfback Taylor is highly regarded as an attack mentor.
It was in that capacity the 46-year-old helped guide the Roosters to the 2013 premiership alongside then rookie head coach Trent Robinson, before delivering back-to-back minor premierships the following year.
Pearce hoped the pair's reunion would steer the third-placed side to its first title since.
"In that period he helped me with my halfback play a lot," Pearce said.
"I'm a massive fan of JT, always have been.
"I can't comment on him as far as being a head coach because I haven't had him, but as assistant coach he's all class.
"He's technically really good, smart with the kicking game for halves, and technically with structures he's a clever coach.
"Trent is, in my opinion, the best coach in the comp and them two together working with the attack I'm sure will hopefully get us some results."
The spotlight is firmly on Pearce, in-form and widely expected to be named as NSW halfback when coach Laurie Daley unveils his State of Origin game one team on Monday night.
The 28-year-old is aware his contentious representative past and lack of on-field success have made him a polarising Blues figure.
But despite any past criticism, he was confident.
"I'm happy with who I am as a player at the moment and I know what I bring to a team," he said.
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