Luke
Member
**Pearce may not face Tigers**
Sydney Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce is struggling to be fit for Sunday's vital NRL clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
The NSW no.7 picked up a corked leg during the Blues' State of Origin series-levelling 16-12 win over Queensland on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old watched the club's training session on Friday with his leg heavily iced, with Roosters medical staff hopeful he may be right to train lightly on Saturday to prove his fitness for the clash against the in-form Tigers.
Pearce's availability is vital to the Roosters' hopes of getting their season back on track after four straight losses, which means the club will give him right up until kick-off to make a decision.
"He's got a little bit of a cork that he'll deal with today and hopefully he'll be ready to go for us," Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello told reporters on Friday when asked about Pearce's availability.
"He's been going great and played a really good game on Wednesday night.
"His defence was outstanding. He was putting shots on like a second rower.
"I know when you come back from that sort of level, the confidence you have can just breed into the team."
Sunday's match will be the first time the two clubs have met since Roosters skipper Braith Anasta revealed he would quit the Bondi club to join the Tigers next season.
Asked if he thought his skipper would be distracted by coming up against his future club, Minichiello said: "I don't think so. He's totally thinking about the Roosters and moving on to them next year.
"He'll be good … hopefully he has a big game for us.
"I've never experienced it but people that go to other teams or guys that come from other teams, when they play that club again they always have a great game.
"We're looking for Braith to do that for us."
Despite going a month without a victory, Minichiello said the mood in the Roosters camp was still positive and they believe they aren't far off turning a string of losses into a few wins.
"The last four or five weeks we've been pretty consistent with our football, we've just had some lapses in defence and concentration throughout the match," the veteran no.1 said.
"So the feeling around the camp has been fantastic still, we just need to fix those areas up where we're lacking.
"It's quite easy to stay upbeat because we've got a lot of young guys in the team and they provide a lot of enthusiasm for us.
"Hopefully we can put in a good performance and try and get the two points we desperately need."
Source: http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/pearce-may-not-face-tigers-182144
___
Do we want him to play or not? Personally, I feel that if he is ruled out we might take the Roosters on lightly and we could get done. Also, if we win and he didn't play, our win will be dampened because one of their key players were out. Could be better if he plays.
Sydney Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce is struggling to be fit for Sunday's vital NRL clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
The NSW no.7 picked up a corked leg during the Blues' State of Origin series-levelling 16-12 win over Queensland on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old watched the club's training session on Friday with his leg heavily iced, with Roosters medical staff hopeful he may be right to train lightly on Saturday to prove his fitness for the clash against the in-form Tigers.
Pearce's availability is vital to the Roosters' hopes of getting their season back on track after four straight losses, which means the club will give him right up until kick-off to make a decision.
"He's got a little bit of a cork that he'll deal with today and hopefully he'll be ready to go for us," Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello told reporters on Friday when asked about Pearce's availability.
"He's been going great and played a really good game on Wednesday night.
"His defence was outstanding. He was putting shots on like a second rower.
"I know when you come back from that sort of level, the confidence you have can just breed into the team."
Sunday's match will be the first time the two clubs have met since Roosters skipper Braith Anasta revealed he would quit the Bondi club to join the Tigers next season.
Asked if he thought his skipper would be distracted by coming up against his future club, Minichiello said: "I don't think so. He's totally thinking about the Roosters and moving on to them next year.
"He'll be good … hopefully he has a big game for us.
"I've never experienced it but people that go to other teams or guys that come from other teams, when they play that club again they always have a great game.
"We're looking for Braith to do that for us."
Despite going a month without a victory, Minichiello said the mood in the Roosters camp was still positive and they believe they aren't far off turning a string of losses into a few wins.
"The last four or five weeks we've been pretty consistent with our football, we've just had some lapses in defence and concentration throughout the match," the veteran no.1 said.
"So the feeling around the camp has been fantastic still, we just need to fix those areas up where we're lacking.
"It's quite easy to stay upbeat because we've got a lot of young guys in the team and they provide a lot of enthusiasm for us.
"Hopefully we can put in a good performance and try and get the two points we desperately need."
Source: http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/pearce-may-not-face-tigers-182144
___
Do we want him to play or not? Personally, I feel that if he is ruled out we might take the Roosters on lightly and we could get done. Also, if we win and he didn't play, our win will be dampened because one of their key players were out. Could be better if he plays.
