Sydney Roosters prop Sam Moa admits teammate Mitchell Pearce is still hurting after Wednesday night’s State of Origin loss but says he should take plenty of pride out of his performance for NSW.

Pearce will line up at halfback for the Roosters when they host Melbourne in their NRL clash on Monday night after playing five-eighth for the Blues in their 11-10 loss to Queensland at ANZ Stadium.

“I just saw Mitchell then, he’s a bit sore and sorry.

“I think he’s still hurting a bit but I think he can take a bit of pride out of his own performance. I think he played very well.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll be there for the second game. “He’s a tremendous player and he always fights back and proves everyone wrong.”

The Roosters are bracing a big battle up front against the Storm who boast Moa’s New Zealand teammate Jesse Bromwich.

“It’s going to be a great test for us,” Moa said.

“Jesse is one of the top front-rowers in the game and he’s been playing very good footy this season … they’ve got a lot of threats in that team and Jesse is one of them.

“As a front-rower I have to do my job to contain him.”