Roosters rocked by rift between Mitchell Pearce and Brian Smith
James Hooper
The Sunday Telegraph
July 22, 2012 12:00AM
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THE relationship between Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith and star halfback Mitchell Pearce has deteriorated to the point where the pair did not speak on game day last Monday.
As the Roosters travel to Penrith today amid rumblings of disharmony in the playing ranks, The Sunday Telegraph understands Pearce is poised to ask for a release this week.
If a picture tells a thousand words, then the image of Smith cutting a solitary figure at Roosters training at Moore Park last Friday summed up the club's plight this season.
The Roosters are a long way off being anywhere near on the same page as Smith's penchant for altering the club's style of attack on a weekly basis has worn thin.
Smith appeared to be in his own world last Friday as he paced up and down the sideline - at times with his back turned to the team - with the Roosters being watched by assistant coach Matt Elliott.
His standoff with Pearce six days ago came following revelations the NSW Origin halfback wanted a release with one season to run on his contract. And he's not the only player.
With Ricky Stuart set to return to the NRL coaching ranks and NSW Origin halves partner Todd Carney urging Pearce to join him at Cronulla, there are options if the Roosters are prepared to let Pearce go.
"If we start dancing and shadow boxing at all the stuff in the media then we'll just go around in circles," Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said. "Mitchell hasn't asked for a release, he's got the rest of this season and another year to go on his contract. I, like everyone else at the club, sees Mitchell as part of the long-term future of the Roosters."
Roosters coach Brian Smith having a wander out the back of the field during training. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph
But The Sunday Telegraph understands the working relationship between Smith and Pearce is at breaking point - it's almost to the point where one has to go.
The Roosters face a huge decision. Is Pearce the club's long-term halfback or is Smith the club's long-term coach?
Already this season Roosters fans have had to witness the revivals of cast-offs Todd Carney and Nate Myles, who had their contracts torn up for disciplinary reasons last August.
In the case of Myles, the Roosters had already tapped him on the shoulder with a year to run on his contract, expediting his move to the Gold Coast.
After winning the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player in the State of Origin series and starring for the Titans, how does the Roosters' decision look now?
Roosters coach Smith still has one year to run on his four-year contract, but unless he can take the Tricolours to another grand final next season, his days appear numbered.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis has backed Smith despite two poor seasons after taking the club to the 2010 grand final.
One thing Smith has restored at the Roosters is discipline.
But Politis and the Roosters board will not tolerate another season of excuses and Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is already being linked to the club for 2014.
If the losses continue to mount for the rest of this season, Politis' patience may not extend that far.
