Mitchell Pearce speaks for first time after dog scandal

UNDERFIRE NRL star Mitchell Pearce has spoken for the first time about the Australia Day dog scandal. Watch it here.

A SHATTERED Mitchell Pearce has addressed the media for the first time about the Australia Day scandal that threatens to derail his career.

In a very brief, pre-prepared statement, the Roosters captain apologised and admitted he needed to seek help for his problems with alcohol.

“I unreservedly apologise to everyone for my actions over the last couple days,” said Pearce, who appeared distraught.

“My behaviour was unacceptable. I’m embarrassed and take full responsibility for my actions.

“I acknowledge that I have a problem with alcohol and it’s something that I need to address.

“It is not an excuse but it is a realisation that I need help.

“Together with the club, I am working on a solution to address these issues. It will come out in the next couple of days.

“I just want to thank everyone for turning up, and I apologise again.”

The 26-year-old, who has been temporarily stood down by the club, made the statement in a hastily arranged press conference this afternoon at 1pm AEDT.

Meanwhile, the NRL is investigating a series of text messages purportedly made by people who met disgraced Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce before the video was made that threatens to end his career.

The text message exchange — between two unknown recipients — discusses selling the video of Pearce’s behaviour at a Bondi flat in the early hours of Wednesday morning, to news media outlets.

The Daily Telegraph reports NRL bosses have the texts and will be studying them as part of their investigation into Pearce’s infamous Australia Day antics.

It wasn’t immediately clear if they were genuine or just a hoax.

Mitchell Pearce’s career hangs in balance.

The exchange alleges it was “Jack” who filmed the lewd video of Pearce. There is also an allegation during the text message exchange that there was illicit substance use — referred to as “Liney lineys” — by unidentified people at the Royal Oak Hotel.

There is no suggestion Pearce or other Roosters players or members of their entourage were involved in any illicit drug use.

The first text message reads: “Jack has to send you a video of Mitchell Pearce humping bella...

“Thinking about selling it to the daily mail to end his career.’’

A second then says:: “yep so f ... d and pissed on her lounge. He was whaled.’’

A spokesman for the NRL said the text message had been passed on to the Integrity Unit, which refused to comment on an ongoing inquiry.

Watch the press conference in the player above

Pearce has a nervous wait, with his club and the NRL determining whether to expel him from the game over his lewd behaviour.

The NSW State of Origin star has been stood down indefinitely from club activities while the Roosters investigate the events that led to the airing of footage of him simulating a sex act with a dog.

He reportedly left Australia with his mother Terri on Friday night for an overseas rehab facility. It was expected he would be there some time.

Pearce’s drunken stupor at an Australia Day party is almost certain to draw a heavy fine, as well as the end of his co-captaincy — but it’s his immediate playing future that is shrouded in doubt.

The NRL adviser on women’s issues, Professor Catharine Lumby, led a chorus of those calling for his head on Thursday, and hinted at stepping down from her role should Pearce be given a stay of execution.

“If the approach of the NRL changes and there is a slap on the wrist, I’d be very disappointed and I’d probably look at whether I was of use to the NRL,” Lumby said.

The club’s major sponsor Steggles admitted it was concerned by the video, which also showed Pearce attempting to kiss a woman — who seconds earlier rebuffed him — and allegedly urinating on himself.

It is the second time in two years that the 26-year-old has been in trouble for off-field misdemeanours.

The heat is on to deregister Pearce from the NRL.

The manager-less Pearce has already apologised to the club and his teammates for behaviour that coach Trent Robinson described as unacceptable, but is yet to speak publicly.

“The behaviour was unacceptable, we understand that and, at the Roosters, we can’t accept that — we won’t,” Robinson said.

Roosters recruits Jayden Nikorima and Dale Copley were reported to have been present at the party and have since been interviewed by the club.

— with AAP