Phil Gould praises 'absolutely stunning' James Tedesco as former Origin skipper sends Blues reminder

James Tedesco sent a reminder to NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley with his standout performance against the Dolphins as the yearly speculation around Origin ramps up.

Tedesco was brilliant for the Roosters, running for 212 metres, and contributing two line breaks, two try assists and 10 tackle breaks.

When Sandon Smith went down inside six minutes, the fear for the Roosters would be how they'd cope without a member of the spine.

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However, it was Tedesco who stepped up to aid rookie halfback Hugo Savala and in turn impressing Phil Gould.

"Tonight their young five-eighth Sandon Smith went down and that would cause some issues for them but James Tedesco stood up not only in his own performance but what I noticed was that everywhere young Hugo Savala went, James Tedesco was around him ... what he did was support him through, talk him through and he was always on the spot," he said on Nine.

"His own personal output was extraordinary. An absolute stunning game tonight from the skipper."

Tedesco's name will now constantly be mentioned for the Blues fullback position but it would take something extraordinary to displace Dylan Edwards, despite Penrith's slow start to the year.

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The Roosters fullback wasn't predicting he'd be in the No. 1 jersey.

"I've been on the other side of it for years, when you're the incumbent everyone talks about everyone else's form but for myself I haven't given it too much thought or energy," he told Nine's Danika Mason.

"I feel like I've just been focusing on my game and for the Roosters trying to lead by example. I personally don't think they'll make too many changes but I think that's freed my up mentally to go out and just play footy and enjoy myself."

Tedesco did admit this time of year brings significant pressure compared to any other time of the regular season.

"The number of years I was always fullback there was always talk about people in form or the position, especially in the spine, it's the most talked about thing in the game leading into Origin," he said.

"I felt that pressure on the other side, I've let myself not feel that pressure this time, it's obviously Dyl's position and I'm just going out and playing my game."