NEW HOPE IN FRANCE
Troubled NRL star Pearce gets fresh Catalans start
MITCHELL PEARCE hopes to put his chequered past behind him with a new start in Super League.
Catalan Dragons have landed a coup in signing the NRL Grand Final winner and State of Origin half-back.
But this year’s losing Super League Grand Finalists will hope he does not bring the baggage that blighted his time in the NRL.
Pearce was stripped of the Sydney Roosters co-captaincy five years ago after being filmed simulating sex with a dog. He later spent four weeks in rehab, admitting binge-drinking problems caused his humiliation.
Pearce moved to Newcastle Knights but was caught up in another off-field scandal a year ago. A team-mate exposed him for sending flirty messages to a female staff member, resulting in his wedding being cancelled. He stood down as captain as a result and made a tearful public apology to his team-mates.
Pearce, 32, was also troubled by injuries last season and now, after 309 games in the NRL, wants a fresh start with the Dragons. He has signed a two-year deal, with an option for a third, and said: “You get to an age where you need to find what gives you that fire in the belly.
“I had a pretty draining year last year. It was very public with my cancelled wedding, which was a horrible time.
“I tried to pull through it and look forward. Then I started to have a few injuries.
“When this opportunity came up with Catalans it was something that stimulated me straight away.
“I’ve been in the NRL since I was 17. I’m going to France and I want to win a title, that’s the goal.”
Pearce, who has been released from the final year of his Knights contract, worked with Catalans coach Steve McNamara at Sydney Roosters when they won the title in 2013.
McNamara, left, said: “Mitchell has had a great career. I know the sheer quality and energy Mitchell will bring to our team.”
❑ ANFIELD will no longer host a men’s World Cup quarter-final after the event’s postponement to next autumn.
Wigan’s DW
Stadium is expected to take over.
It has also been reported that
Australia and New Zealand have now signed up for the rescheduled World Cup due to start on October 15, 2021.