The off-season has seen Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney become the closest of friends and the star Roosters duo hope a strong start to the NRL season will present NSW selectors with a package deal they can't resist.

While their immediate focus is on striking up a good combination at club level, there's no hiding the fact that Pearce and Carney are two young men headed down a similar path.

Carney's off-field rap-sheet might be longer than Pearce's, but as two exciting prospects with the representative league world at their feet, it's no surprise that within a few short months they've become best pals.

The pair combined well in the Roosters' 28-10 trial win over the Tigers on Sunday with Pearce having a hand in all four tries and Carney scoring 16 points.

"We're real good mates, we hang out all the time and I love him, he's a champion of a bloke," Pearce told AAP.

"I love playing with him, and I was really excited about getting my first run with him and hopefully we can keep building on it.

"I just want to win some games with the Roosters to start off with, and if (rep) stuff comes that'd be awesome. I feel I've developed a bit, so I've still got a lot to prove this year."

It's only February, but the truth is Pearce has played Origin once before, Carney has long been talked up, and the pair should come into consideration when the time comes.

The reality is Craig Bellamy might only have room for one of them in his side but selectors recognise the merit of a good club combination when it comes along.

Carney and Pearce have been inseparable on and off the training paddock over the summer.

"Definitely, me and Pearcy worked hard at training together and I think it helps being good mates off the field too," said Carney.

"I'm knowing what he's going to do and we just muck around at training...doing stuff on our own and just talking about those kind of things.

"Everyone's got a goal to play Origin and rep football but at the moment for me I just want to concentrate on playing good for the Roosters."

There has been a lot of speculation on where Carney will start the season with Roosters coach Brian Smith confident the former Raider will make it as a fullback.

After finding his way at the back in the first half of Sunday's trial, Carney had his two best touches playing alongside Pearce in the halves in the second half.

Established five-eighth option Braith Anasta is expected to start the season but Pearce is confident he and Carney can strike up a winning combination regardless of whether his best buddy is wearing No.1 or No.6.

"It's been easy, he's a smart player and the coaching staff has put in good systems with the side so everyone just does their role and it's been working well for us so far," Pearce said.

"He's really talented, I've always loved him as a player and now I love him as a player and as a mate.

"I reckon he'll be one of the best signings the club's made.

"Once Braith comes back we'll have a pretty neat little combo with the three of us."

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