Roosters centre Blake Ferguson is very much ready for a return to the interstate arena if chosen, according to his captain and coach, despite a lacklustre showing against the Dragons on Monday night.
Ferguson was the only member of the Roosters back five not to run for more than 100 metres, with rookie left centre Brendan Elliott one of the stars of the side's three-quarter line on the night.
Ferguson got rattled in a tackle in his own territory by Jason Nightingale, spilling the ball and allowing the Dragons to score the first try of the night, then going off for a 10-minute concussion check as a result of the tackle.
He has struggled for fluency in his two games back since returning from a foot injury, although he did score the match-winning try against the Warriors last week.
Despite this, there have been strong rumblings Ferguson would be recalled to replace Parramatta's Will Hopoate on the NSW wing for the Origin decider at Suncorp on July 8.
He finished Monday night with 87 metres from 10 carries and a match-high three errors, but it was enough for coach Trent Robinson and club co-captain and NSW five-eighth Mitchell Pearce to declare him ready – although neither expected him to be picked.
"He's certainly ready for sure, you only have to ask him!" Pearce laughed.
"He's certainly ready but I don't think they'll change a winning side. Fergo will be sniffing around there and he's such a good player, he's quality, I love being around him, he's good for a team as well so if he was to get picked he's certainly got the confidence to deliver."
Robinson expressed a similar view to Pearce.
"Yeah Fergo's ready. They'll make that call. There'll be some good speculation around Origin III but I think all those guys that played the other night [in Origin II] will play."
