Sydney Roosters star Braith Anasta provided the ultimate response to his NSW snubbing tonight and he had a selector sitting just metres away to rub his nose in it.
Overlooked for the NSW five-eighth position on Tuesday, with Blues selectors opting for Cronulla lack Greg Bird, Anasta produced a match-turning performance in his stand-in captaincy role tonight to lead the Roosters to a 32-12 upset of the Eels at Parramatta Stadium.
Anasta scored two tries, threw the final pass for two more and provided the pinpoint cross-field kick in another in one of his finest attacking displays this year.
Adding satisfaction to Anasta's stunning display was the fact Blues selector and Channel Nine commentator Laurie Daley was sitting on the sideline with a perfect view of the performance.
Not only that, but Daley then had the awkward duty of handing Anasta the man of the match award.
"I didn't really have a point to prove to anyone apart from myself," Anasta said.
"My family and friends have stuck by me all week.
"It was pretty tough early on in the week, but to get the captaincy tonight, that really turned it all around for me.
"To be honest that meant more than anything, to captain the Roosters and I just wanted to lead from the front."
With virtually their entire forward pack missing - Willie Mason, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon and Nate Myles all on Origin duty - it was rejuvenated former Test prop Mark O'Meley that led the way up front with Anasta feeding off the Roosters superior momentum.
"Ogre (O'Meley) was unbelievable," Anasta said.
"I said at the start of the match `take control mate and lead the forwards and the young blokes' and he did."
The Roosters had trailed 8-6 at half time but a blockbuster start to the second period put the under-manned visitors in total control.
Anasta's inside pass put Kiwi Test centre Sia Soliola over in the 42nd minute before Mitchell Pearce nailed a 40-20 off their next set to give the Roosters another attacking chance.
Again it was Anasta who provided the assist, taking the ball to the short side before giving it to another Kiwi Test centre in Setaimata Sa to barge over and give the Roosters an eight point lead just six minutes after the break.
Anasta then put the nail in the coffin by pouncing on Mtichell Pearce's chip kick to score his second try in the 55th minute and all but seal his post-match honour.
He struck again with a well-timed kick for Brent Grose to extend the lead in the 68th minute before late tries to Eels winger Joel Reddy (72nd minute) and an intercept for Roosters half Pearce (77th minute) completed the result.
Earlier Eels halfback Brett Finch made his own point to Blues selectors for his snubbing by throwing a three-man 20m cut out pass for Eric Grothe to score untouched in the 18th minute and open the scoring.
Anasta responded to Finch's challenge by stepping his way past his former teammate in the 27th minute to help level scores 6-all.
Adding to Parramatta's dreadful night is the recurrence of a knee injury to luckless centre Ben Smith, with Eels officials hopeful scans tomorrow won't confirm he requires surgery on his right leg for the second time in two years.
