Latrell Mitchell insists the stage is set for James Tedesco to shine, backing the NSW captain to shake off the Sydney Roosters' underwhelming start to the season and fire in the State of Origin opener.
For perhaps the first time in his career at the Roosters, Tedesco's club displays have looked below the blistering best which helped propel the Blues to three of four series wins between 2018 and 2021.
Tedesco's outstanding performances for club, state and country have meant that the fullback has always been held to an incredibly high standard.
But this season he has struggled to get the Tricolours going; they sit at 5-6 after 12 rounds with the NRL's worst attack and languishing in 11th spot.
Queensland legend Darren Lockyer said last week that Penrith's Dylan Edwards was deserving of selection for NSW on form but conceded that Tedesco was the Blues player who struck fear into the hearts of the Maroons.
Mitchell, who won two premierships with Tedesco at the Roosters in 2018 and 2019, said the champion No.1's club form was no concern, adamant that he is primed to return to his best in Adelaide on May 31.
"Teddy is Teddy, clubland is a lot different to this game," Mitchell told AAP.
"He turns up (and) he's the captain for Australia and this team for a reason, in the way that he conducts himself and leads.
"He'll be nothing short of amazing next Wednesday night.
"I'm happy for him to take the carries and I'll score the tries."
Pressed on whether he had seen Tedesco struggling to make an impact on the Roosters' fortunes before, Mitchell said: "They're at a rebuild stage now and they're trying to find people to fit into their positions.
"Any club goes through it, it's about combinations and them finding their feet.
"I don't want to talk too much about the Roosters because I don't play for them no more.
"But look, Teddy will show up, I have no doubt."
The Blues hit the training ground for the first time on Tuesday, with Mitchell returning to the left centre spot that helped NSW thrash Queensland in 2021.
Penrith flyer Brian To'o will reprise his role outside of him on the left wing.
Mitchell is eager to rekindle the form from his last Blues appearance two years ago when he scored four tries across the series.
"I wasn't too bad, I guess," Mitchell said.
"It was a good return for myself but I'll probably go to another level.
"I'm pretty excited to go to Adelaide and do it."
TEDESCO BY THE NUMBERS AT THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS:
* 2018-2022 - 60 tries and 77 try assists in 114 games, 204 average running metres; win rate 64 per cent
* 2023 - three tries and four try assists in 10 games, 170 average running metres; win rate 50 per cent.
