Next Wednesday's State of Origin decider is the most important match of Braith Anasta's career - and he knows it, writes Andrew Webster.

NSW five-eighth Braith Anasta has conceded his representative future hangs on his performance in the State of Origin decider against Queensland.

As Roosters chairman Nick Politis pleaded for his halves combination of Anasta and 19-year-old Origin debutant Mitchell Pearce not to be crucified should the Blues lose game three at ANZ Stadium next Wednesday, Anasta was under no illusion about its significance, declaring: "It's the most important game I've played in.

"If I come up with a big game here, it will change my whole rep career," he said. "I know if we win, I'll be the back page. If we lose, I'll be the back page. That's the way it is with me. I'm aware that I'm open [to blame].

"I'll be copping bullets afterwards if we lose. I am aware of that. I know how much pressure's on me. You can try to palm it off, but everyone knows it's the most important game I've played in, at this level."

Anasta was controversially shunned for the first two matches of the series in preference for Sharks lock Greg Bird - who was ruled out of this match with a knee injury - and Roosters officials viewed his selection as belated vindication for his recent career-best form.

Yet there was a pervading sense of concern about the task he has been charged with: engineering a series win in a deciding match with a rookie halfback playing inside him, without the world-class centre Mark Gasnier playing outside him, behind a forward pack rolled backwards in NSW's 30-0 loss in game two at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

"It's a big ask and I'm sure they'll give it 110 per cent," Politis said of the Anasta-Pearce combination. "But if they don't win, I hope everyone doesn't blame them because it won't be their fault. There will be a lot of pressure on them [if NSW lose] from certain sections of the media."

Roosters coach Brad Fittler was more optimistic: "It's the opportunity of a lifetime. It's the ultimate test for them."

Anasta's ability beyond club duties has long been debated. In the past 18 months, national and state selectors have ignored his form under Fittler and preferred moving Bird out of position to play at five-eighth.

Asked yesterday if he had feared his representative career was over, Anasta replied: "Definitely. When you feel you're playing your best football and you're not making Origin, and then some years you're not playing your best and you're still making it, that made me think it was over."

Easing the pressure is that Anasta will be playing alongside five club teammates in the side. Former Roosters centre Joel Monaghan, who comes into the side in place of Gasnier, is another player he is familiar with.

"I have all the confidence in the world in Pearcey," Anasta said. "If I doubted him, I would be more nervous. I'm sure he can do the job. Having so many Roosters teammates makes it easier. I'm not coming in cold."

Blues coach Craig Bellamy denied the result would hinge on Anasta's game: "He didn't come in on a cross, so I don't know if he's going to be our saviour. We need make sure our game fits around Braith … and he fits around the rest of the team as well. That's going to take a little bit of juggling. We'll start on that this afternoon and I'm sure by Sunday it will be running smoothly."

Pressed later, Bellamy bristled at the suggestion Anasta was under more pressure than any other player. "Why is there more pressure on Braith Anasta than any other player?" he asked. "What I see of Braith Anasta is that he is a very talented player. We're not going to ask him to do something he's not capable of doing."

Anasta has won three from his eight Origin appearances, and two of those were alongside former NSW captain Andrew Johns, who orchestrated a come-from-behind series victory in 2005.

"I'm not going out there to be the hero," Anasta said. "I'm the first to admit that in years gone by I've been guilty of trying too hard. And that's affected my consistency and that's why I've picked up so much in the last 12 months - I'm trying to be composed and not overplay myself."