Robinson hopes NSW back Pearce for Origin

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says NSW shouldn't axe Mitchell Pearce as State of Origin halfback after his wild night out in Sydney.

Roosters NRL player Mitchell Pearce

The Roosters are hopeful Mitchell Pearce's wild night out won't cost him a NSW Origin jersey. (AAP)

Trent Robinson is hopeful Mitchell Pearce's wild night out in Sydney on Saturday won't hinder his hopes of playing in the State of Origin opener for NSW later this month.

The Sydney Roosters' coach said the decision to stand down the halfback for Saturday's NRL game against North Queensland and slug him with a $20,000 fine after he was arrested for refusing to leave a King's Cross bar, was a sign of how much of a dim view the club took on poor off-field behaviour from their players.

"Missing a game before Origin and a $20,000 fine is pretty harsh but they are the standards we want at the club," Robinson said.

"We feel like we've taken action, the NRL are happy with it and the penalty stops here.

"They've (NSW) stated Mitchell Pearce is their Origin halfback and, if they want him, they should pick him."

Robinson admitted he was taken aback by the media coverage of the incident and said Pearce had shown great remorse for his actions.

"It has been a bit of a circus since Sunday. We've had media camped out here, people in trees ... for something that was a normal nightclub scene," Robinson said.

"But he did get moved on and he should have moved on and that's the point.

"As much as we were disappointed with what happened, we love Pearcey, he is our halfback and one of our leaders and he strayed from that.

"It's been made clear what he can and can't do and I think, once he's back, he'll be ready to play some good footy."


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Source: AAP


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