Super League

Super League halfback would “like” NRL move

by
Cam Pattison
February 12, 2023

One of Super League’s best halfbacks has said he would like an NRL move.

That man is Catalans Dragons halfback Mitchell Pearce. An NRL winner and State of Origin winner, few halfbacks in Super League have the level of pedigree he has.

A classy player and Super League’s top try scoring halfback of 2022, he has now told the Daily Telegraph that he would like a move to the NRL before retiring.

“I’m fully committed and looking forward to starting next weekend,” he said.

“Who knows what will happen after that. I’ve always said I’d like another year in the NRL before retiring so we’ll see what’s available.”

Pearce is in the last year of his two year deal with the Dragons and has a new halfback partner in Tyrone May for the new season.

The former Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights halfback meanwhile told the Australian publication that he would continue to abstain from drinking.

“I’m going to stick to it (the booze ban),” Pearce told The Daily Telegraph.

“You get to my age and you’ve got to look after yourself.

“I’m not putting a time limit on it but I’m going to keep it going.”

These comments come after St Helens star Sione Mata’utia said this would be his last year in England as he wants a return to the NRL.

“This is my last year in England and hopefully there is some interest back home here and to getting back and playing with someone here, but if not – it is what it is,” he said to the Newcastle Herald.

“I’ve loved the decision of going over there. I’ve learnt so much and it got me out of my comfort zone. I probably got a bit too comfortable in Newcastle, if I’m honest.

“I came to a club that when I rocked up, there were eight English international players, so I sort of had to reinvent myself and make a name for myself, which is probably what I needed.”

“I had to be on the jump from the start, they just demand standards.

“It was something that took me by shock, because I never really had that accountability. It made me a better player and taught me a lot about professionalism.

“The success was weird. Winning was normal for us, and I’d never actually had that feeling. The flip side of that is, every team wants to beat St Helens so every week is a really hard game.

“It gets a bit rough at times whereas when I was at Newcastle, we were sort of at the bottom of the table for many years and a team that was always rebuilding.”