Trent Robinson says he wants Mitchell Pearce to stay at the Roosters
TRENT Robinson has broken his silence on the Mitchell Pearce saga, saying he wants the representative half to stay with the club.
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SYDNEY Roosters coach Trent Robinson has broken his silence on the Mitchell Pearce drama, declaring: “We want him now and into our future.”
Robinson and Pearce will meet Monday morning to discuss how Cooper Cronk’s impending signing will affect the Sydney Roosters’ star halfback.
It will be the first time the pair have met face-to-face since news of the Roosters’ interest in Cronk was announced.
There has been robust speculation that a disgruntled Pearce may walk away from the club to sign with Manly, Cronulla or Newcastle.
Robinson told The Daily Telegraph he and the club desperately wanted Pearce to remain at Bondi.
Mondays’s meeting will allow Robinson the chance to allay any fears and disappointment Pearce may harbour about Cronk’s arrival.
Pearce, 28, still has another two years left on his Roosters contract.
Asked did the Roosters want to keep Pearce, Robinson said: “Absolutely we do.
“We definitely want ‘Pearcey’ to be a Rooster now and into our future.
“His place in our team has never been questioned.
“Our interest in Cooper is about improving our squad.
“And that is about the combinations that are possible with three quality halves.”
Pearce always wanted to remain a Rooster and the club hopes he will stay.
But Pearce is hurt.
He privately feels he will be demoted from the top tier to the second tier.
Pearce, though, knows he is on big money and wants to play at a strong, successful club.
He returned to Sydney on Sunday after attending the weekend wedding of former teammate Daniel Mortimer in Orange.
Pearce is being urged by friends to make a rational and considered decision, not one based on emotion. Those friends think he will eventually decide to stay.
However, former NSW teammate Paul Gallen believes Pearce has to leave the Roosters.
“I think if Cooper Cronk does sign with the Roosters, I don’t think Mitchell Pearce can stay,” Gallen told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
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“I don’t think the positions of Pearce, (five-eighth Luke) Keary and Cronk fit in together.
“I don’t think you can turn Pearce, who has been a halfback his whole life, into a bench player.
“It’s a big decision for the Roosters. Unless Cooper Cronk goes there and ... they win a competition, it’s going to be called a failure.
“Where does it go back to then? Is the coach then under pressure?
“I love Cooper Cronk, he’s a great player. I (would have) loved seeing him come to Cronulla.”
The Cronk deal is expected to be finalised and announced this week.
The Pearce drama comes as Matt Moylan’s manager Allan Gainey yet again denied speculation his client wanted to leave Penrith.
There were rumours on Sunday that Moylan would this week seek a release to join Manly or Cronulla.
Like Pearce, Moylan is on big money and Penrith general manager of football Phil Gould wants the star player to remain at the club.
“It’s not on,” Gainey said. “Penrith have told us they won’t entertain the idea.
“There haven’t been any rumblings from either side. And I don’t anticipate anything changing in the immediate future.
“Who is to know in rugby league what might change but Gus (Gould) has told Matt he’s not going anywhere and Matt hasn’t demanded to go anywhere.”
Asked was Moylan happy to stay, Gainey said: “Yep. It’s plain sailing.”
Moylan will be expected at Penrith pre-season training when it starts next month.