Mitchell Pearce could learn a thing or two from State of Origin rival Cooper Cronk if the Sydney Roosters sign him, according to Queensland coach Kevin Walters.
The Roosters remain front-runners ahead of Parramatta and Cronulla for Cronk's signature after the Queensland and Australian halfback told his manager last Friday he wanted to play on in Sydney.
Such a signing could create havoc for the Roosters' roster though, given Pearce has been their first-choice No.7 since 2007 and is signed until the end of 2019.
They could shift him to five-eighth or hooker but incumbents Luke Keary and captain Jake Friend are also contracted by the club into next season.
The rumours have fuelled speculation Pearce could be on the outer at Bondi, with two rival clubs having already reportedly expressed interest in the 28-year-old.
But Walters said if Cronk was to be lured to the Tri-colours, NSW Origin halfback Pearce should see it as an opportunity to stick around and learn.
"If I'm a Mitchell Pearce or a Luke Keary at that club, I'd probably want them in the club because you're going to get better with them there," Walters told Sky Sports Radio.
"Maybe a little time with Cooper Cronk might help (Pearce's) game and take it to another level, which is a bit scary from a Queensland point of view."
Pearce will also likely face mounting pressure in 2018 to keep his NSW Origin spot.
This year's series loss marked his seventh in as many attempts for the Blues, while the yet-to-be appointed NSW coach will likely have to make a call on whether Penrith teenager Nathan Cleary is ready to step into the arena.
Walters insisted his comments weren't a shot at Pearce.
"We always see Mitchell and the talent he has," he said.
"I reckon (Pearce and Keary) would be pretty excited. If Cronk was to go to one of those clubs, he would certainly bring so much on the field but certainly off the field with how he goes about things.
"I've seen it at Origin level. Some of these players we bring in who come into camp, they learn more from Cronk and Slater and Smith, Thurston and Matt Scott and Inglis than they do the coaching staff."
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