Pearce in frame to captain Roosters

Updated October 23, 2012 20:00:02

Mitchell Pearce could emerge as Sydney Roosters' long-term captain next year - as long as he puts his off field distractions behind him - according to new coach Trent Robinson.

Pearce endured an inconsistent season on the field this year with his reported playboy antics and rift with former coach Brian Smith often cited as reasons why the New South Wales half-back did not reach the heights expected of him in the NRL.

But with a sharper focus on and off the field in 2013 and a better support network around him at the Roosters, Robinson said Pearce could succeed Wests Tigers-bound Braith Anasta as skipper and lead the club for a number of years.

"We have a half-back that is a natural leader on the field," Robinson told reporters on Tuesday.

"I have a lot of faith in Mitchell in the way he plays the game and he leads us when he is on the field.

"A part of that has to be off the field as well and I'm hoping to see that in Mitchell."

Pearce's off field exploits drew almost as much attention as his on-field efforts in 2012 and Robinson acknowledged his star playmaker needed to clean up his act away from football.

He was the Roosters' leading tryscorer last season and former Catalans coach Robinson, who took the reins at Bondi Junction last month, said some of the criticism of the 23-year-old's performances was unwarranted.

"Pearcey is already leading," he said.

"I think we have been a bit hard on him about not leading already on on the field, he does that.

"I think with a bit of support around him and also with the way that we want to train I'm hoping that he will become maybe a potential captain."

Robinson said he would consider using co-captains for the first time in the club's 106-year history and that veteran Anthony Minichiello was another strong contender for a leadership role.

"I'm not against it. I have used it before and I think it develops players and it develops a strong group," Robinson said.

"I'm not saying I am going to go that way but I am definitely not fixed on one captain either.

"Mini has been here for a while and he has done the job at Australia and New South Wales level, but I also want to see some other guys come through in training over the next few months."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, bondi-junction-2022, nsw, australia

First posted October 23, 2012 19:58:37

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Carney and Pearce together again

Updated May 14, 2012 08:06:43

The first person to call Todd Carney minutes after he was named New South Wales Origin five-eighth was his good friend and the man who will wear the number seven for the Blues, Mitchell Pearce.

An emotional Carney was getting changed at his home ground after his Cronulla team-mates congratulated him on snaring the Blues number six jumper for game one of the series in Melbourne on May 23.

The Sharks had just become the first team to beat the Storm this season and Carney was on top of the world.

Then his phone rang and the bloke on the other end of the line was even more fired up about Carney's selection.

"Pearcey just rang me before, he's over the moon too," he said.

"I've spoken to him the last few days and he was the first bloke I spoke to ... it is good to know that he'll be lobbing in my room and hopefully we can click and get that combination going again.

"I went over and stayed with him a few weeks ago and he brought up the possibility (selection)... you talk about these things as mates.

"When he rang before he was pretty excited about the whole week."

Pearce and Carney formed a brilliant duo for the Sydney Roosters, who made it to the 2010 grand final before the gifted five-eighth was set free by the foundation club last year after multiple off-field incidents.

Carney linked with the Sharks in 2012 and has not put a foot wrong on or off the field.

"It's a goal ticked off and I'm really happy. I just want to thank the Sharks boys, without our form it wouldn't have been possible," Carney said.

"I'll reflect on it when I get some free time when I get away from here. I like to reflect on things like this with my family and friends ... I owe a lot to the Sharks and I'll continue to say that."

Carney, who toured with the Australian team in 2010, never doubted he could make it to Origin level this year.

"I was confident. I put in a lot of work in the preseason," he said.

"I came here with a goal to be one of the fittest in the club and I've achieved that.

"To get this opportunity now is a good step in the right direction for me and me going forward as a person and as a player ... the journey's not over but for me to get where I am now I feel pretty good."

AAP

Tags: state-of-origin, nrl, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted May 14, 2012 08:06:43

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Origin speculation nothing new for Pearce

Updated April 19, 2012 15:57:51

Mitchell Pearce says he has learned to deal with the constant speculation surrounding his New South Wales position ahead of next month's State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.

Despite being the incumbent half-back for the Blues and performing well in last year's 2-1 series defeat, Pearce is not certain to keep his number seven shirt, with Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen and Brisbane's Peter Wallace breathing down his neck.

Former Sydney Roosters team-mate Todd Carney is also in the running, with the pair to face off in Sunday's City-Country match in Mudgee.

Pearce is pleased to see the Cronulla man back to his best after a controversy-filled 2011.

"Toddy is a great player and he's been real good this year and I am real pleased for him," Pearce said.

"Around this time of year, there is always talk about who'll make Origin and who'll miss out and this year's no different.

"I genuinely have no idea who Sticky (coach Ricky Stuart) is going to pick.

"I hope it's me, and there are three or four others probably thinking the same. But I can't do anything about the speculation. It is what it is - I just ignore it."

The City squad arrived in Mudgee on Wednesday night and were able to train in dry conditions on Thursday for the first time since linking up in camp in rain-soaked Sydney on Monday.

The session gave Pearce another chance to watch Jarryd Hayne at close quarters in the five-eighth role and the 22-year-old has been impressed with what he has seen from the versatile Parramatta superstar in what could potentially be yet another New South Wales halves combination.

"I think he will go real good," he said.

"He plays like a ball player when he's played at five-eighth for Parramatta and, the year he won the Dally M in 2009, he also played that way from full-back.

"He's a threat when he runs out the back of block plays and he's got ability to run with the ball.

"I honestly don't know what Sticky is thinking about, but he must like him as a five-eighth, which is why he's got him here and I'm looking forward to playing with him."

AAP

Tags: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, nsw, australia

First posted April 19, 2012 15:57:51

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Pearce assessment raises eyebrows

Updated July 5, 2011 07:57:00

Petero Civoniceva says New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart has put Mitchell Pearce under big pressure by claiming he is the best half-back in the world.

Long accustomed to seeing their Test number seven Johnathan Thurston with that mantle, Queenslanders expects Thurston will be motivated to prove Stuart wrong in Wednesday's State of Origin series decider at Lang Park.

"It's pressure, lots of pressure. If you put yourself out there, you've got to be able to handle it and back it up," said veteran Queensland prop Civoniceva.

"If you get rated amongst the best the challenge is to step up to the plate and play like that every week."

While used to provocative statements from Stuart, the Queensland camp was surprised to see him quoted on Monday as saying: "I think Mitchell is the best half-back in the world.

"He's got a big job on his hands but he showed in game two that his time has arrived."

While Pearce may prove a long-term Blues half-back, Thurston has the runs on the board over several years for both Queensland and Australia.

"I guess that's his opinion and he's entitled to his opinion," Civoniceva said.

"But I know we've got a number seven that will want to prove him wrong on Wednesday night and I know there's a lot of people who think differently.

"I guess we will see on Wednesday night.

"I'm very happy with our number seven. He's an inspirational guy and I just love laying a platform for him.

"He's just a champion and with Locky (Darren Lockyer) their leadership is amazing."

Meanwhile, Civoniceva said it was not anyone's sole responsibility to stop Blues captain and game two hero Paul Gallen, whose relentless charges sapped the Maroons of energy in Sydney.

"I think there's a challenge for all of us on Wednesday night, we all know there has to be an improvement," he said.

"There's responsibility on all our shoulders ... we've got an all-Australian back line but they can't shine if we don't build the momentum for them."

Civoniceva fended off speculation that he could join skipper Lockyer in retirement from State of Origin after his 30th game on Wednesday, saying his passion for Origin was still strong.

And he said Queensland could not bask in its record five series wins in a row going into the decider.

"That's our past and at the moment we're in a real battle," he said.

"We've been lucky with what we've been able to achieve but we've got so much to play for, whether it's Lockyer's last game at home or for the proud Queenslanders who have faced a lot of adversity this year.

"There's a lot to play for and a lot to inspire us to a great performance."

Queensland wrapped up preparations at its Coolum camp on Monday with star centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) declaring himself ready to go on Wednesday night.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, bondi-junction-2022, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted July 5, 2011 07:15:00

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Blues allay Pearce concerns

Updated May 23, 2011 15:09:00

New South Wales says there are no concerns over half-back Mitchell Pearce after he suffered a minor hamstring strain ahead of Wednesday night's opening State of Origin match.

Pearce felt a twinge during Sunday's long training session but is a certainty for game one against Queensland at Lang Park.

"Mitch is jumping out of his skin for Origin so, no, it's not a concern," centre Mark Gasnier said.

The Blues arrived in Brisbane on Sunday night and were taking advantage of a day off on their first full day in the Queensland capital.

Several, including Greg Bird, Michael Ennis, Jason King and Tim Mannah, attended a press conference held in the team hotel by boxer Danny Green and his American challenger Antonio Tarver, Blues skipper Paul Gallen presenting Green with a Blues jersey.

Gasnier said playing Origin I at its spiritual home, the old Lang Park, would help the inexperienced Blues rise to the occasion.

"It's an atmosphere that, while you may look upon it as daunting, it's quite motivating," he said.

"I think it's good for (the five Blues players on debut) to have their first Origin at Suncorp.

"It's going to make them really appreciate (game two in) Sydney, first and foremost.

"All the hype leading up to the week of people telling them what Origin's about, I think it will just confirm that for them.

"I think it's beneficial."

The Blues will have their final training run at Lang Park on Tuesday.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted May 23, 2011 13:44:00

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