Why Mitchell Pearce said no to Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall reached out to Mitchell Pearce in a bid to recruit the veteran playmaker – here’s why he failed.
Phil Rothfield
March 30, 2023 - 8:21AM
Mitchell Pearce has confirmed he received a phone call from Wests Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall on Wednesday around making a shock NRL comeback – but knocked him back.
The phone call indicates a complete breakdown in communications on the Wests Tigers’ coaching staff following claims by head coach Tim Sheens they were not interested in Pearce.
In a text message to News Corp from France, Pearce said: “I don’t really have much to say. Benji called me yesterday and I told him I’m contracted to Catalans.
“We are top of the table and I want to win a comp in Super League. That’s pretty much it.”
The story broke on NRL 360 on Fox Sports on Wednesday night that the desperate Wests Tigers were chasing the former premiership winning halfback.
Pearce turns 34 next week.
Sheens had earlier told journalists the club had no interest in Pearce.
And then Benji jumps on the phone to make an offer.
As one insider suggested: “They don’t appear to be on the same page.”
We tried to contact Sheens on Thursday morning about the situation via a text message.
“Good morning Tim. Just looking for clarity for the story I’m writing on Mitchell Pearce. Benji phoned Mitchell yesterday but you’ve told people you’re not interested in him. What’s the story? Thanks Buzz.”
He did not come back to us.
It was reported last night that Pearce would be offered a staggering $1.5 million over two years to return home to the NRL.
The news is also unsettling for under siege halfback Luke Brooks, knowing Benji is looking at other options because of his poor start to the season.