The expected signing of the Queensland Maroons halfback was always going to cause a stir at the Sydney Roosters - but if the club gets its way, it won't see the departure of his NSW counterpart Mitchell Pearce.
With Cooper Cronk now officially signed with the Bondi-based club, coach Trent Robinson has confirmed his intentions to keep their long-term no.7.
"We definitely want ‘Pearcey’ to be a Rooster now and into our future," Robinson told the Daily Telegraph. "His place in our team has never been questioned."
While the prospect of both Origin halfbacks linking up in the tricolours next season is an exciting one, Robinson explains a player of that experience can also bring long-term benefits to the club.
"Our interest in Cooper is about improving our squad. And that is about the combinations that are possible with three quality halves."
The signing, however, has brought the opposite reaction from former NSW Blues captain Paul Gallen.
"I think if Cooper Cronk does sign with the Roosters, I don’t think Mitchell Pearce can stay," Gallen told Nine’s Sports Sunday. "I don’t think the positions of Pearce, (five-eighth Luke) Keary and Cronk fit in together.
"I don’t think you can turn Pearce, who has been a halfback his whole life, into a bench player."
Robinson and Pearce are believed to have met this morning in a bid to reach a decision on Pearce's future.
