Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith lavished praise on halfback Mitchell Pearce after he beat the pain barrier to lead his side to a 34-26 win over Penrith on Sunday.

Pearce admitted he found it tough to lift himself for his 100th first grade game following NSW's State of Origin series defeat on Wednesday, but Smith said the performance of the 22 year old and Todd Carney, who scored two tries, laid the platform for a much-needed victory.

"I thought Toddy came up with a couple of those special plays and in attack that is his specialty ... that is when my eyes start to twinkle, I love it when he backs himself," Smith said.

"From my point of view I'm happy for us and for Todd, but I thought Mitchell Pearce's display was absolutely unbelievable.

"There was criticism of his performance on Wednesday night, but people must be joking ... he had a problem with his shoulder before the game, he could hardly lift his arm up to the horizontal and was not really much chance of playing for us today."

The Roosters were forced to do without NSW fullback Anthony Minichiello due to a virus but Phil Graham proved to be an able deputy, playing the custodian role for the first time in 10 years, scoring a try and having a second disallowed in the second half.

Smith said Pearce felt obliged to help his struggling side after Minichiello was ruled out on the morning of the game, and hailed him for his bravery.

"He managed to get over his (Origin) disappointment mentally and with Mini pulling out the morning, Pearcey, being the type of guy he is, isn't going to leave us with another one not playing," Smith said.

"And to go and play how he did was absolutely fantastic ... he is such a competitor and a great young man."

Pearce played down his coach's praise and said he was never in doubt of missing the game.

"It was nothing serious just the AC joint, I took a bang on it late in the game ... it was good to get the win," Pearce said.

"I was on an emotional down the other day, but it was great feeling to come back and win today."

Smith denied he'd being feeling the pressure of his side's poor run of form, which has seen them win just three of their last 12 games, and said the victory was more of a relief for the team's young players.

"It is duck season for coaches, I learnt that 20 years ago, if you are looking for a soft ride it isn't going to happen, you're in the wrong game," he said.

"It's like being allergic to smoke and being a fireman - you don't do it."

Penrith caretaker coach Steve Georgallis was magnanimous in defeat but accused his players of taking the Roosters lightly following Kevin Kingston's second-minute try.

"We scored two soft tries and didn't work hard for them and they were up for it, coming on the back of a few losses," Georgallis said.

"It was very hard to come back into it when you haven't rolled your sleeves up, but they played good football today, but we tried until the end even though the bird had flown, but I have no complaints."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP