Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has denied claims he was not aware veteran halfback Mitchell Pearce had been approached by the club in a tense press conference on Thursday.
It emerged this week that Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall had approached Pearce, who turns 34 next week, with a proposal to join the struggling club.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Sheens had previously informed journalists that the club was not interested in signing the 33-year-old Catalans Dragons playmaker.
Marshall’s approach has shone a light on a disconnect within the club’s coaching ranks, with a whopping $1.5 million deal reportedly prepared to sign Pearce, who is contracted to the Catalans.
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Pearce rejects Tigers $1.5M offer | 00:44
When asked about the drama on Thursday, Sheens quickly brushed aside the queries.
“To be quite honest guys I’d prefer not to say anything at all about it because I want to talk about the game this week,” Sheens told reporters on Thursday.
“But it’s obvious we have been chasing now for a while a senior half of some sort, the conversation was had, he’s not interested, he’s on contract, that’s it.”
Sheens was also asked if Marshall’s approach was made with his authority.
“Benji knows him, yes I did (know). We don’t do anything without telling each other,” Sheens said.
“As I said, that’s all I want to talk about in that respect and I am happy to talk about the game this week.”
Sheens was then asked what type of message their pursuit of Pearce sends to maligned halfback Luke Brooks.
“Well when we have been dealing with Mitchell Moses and Cameron Munster, what do you think?” Sheens said.
“It’s not to replace him particularly, so we are recruiting and will continue to recruit, we have some good kids coming through as well in all of the positions.
“From my aspect, we don’t stop recruiting in the middle of the year either, we have just moved a couple of players too, so it is an ongoing thing all the time.”
Sheens took over the head coach role ahead of the 2023 season, with a succession plan in place for Marshall to take over in 2025.
Fox League’s James Hooper broke the news the Tigers were interested in signing Pearce on NRL 360 on Wednesday night.
“It stinks of desperation,” co-host Paul Kent responded.
“What it does is it delays this whole five-year plan they’ve got. Every Tigers fan got sold on the five-year plan?
“Sheensy there for two years then Benji to take over for three more years and the best solution they come up with to fix their problems is to go to a halfback that hasn’t played in the competition for several years.
“Who is about to turn 34 years old, and chuck the two halves they’ve got out, one of which is on $1 million a year.”
The Tigers, who are reeling after starting their season with consecutive defeats, will face the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35pm AEDT.
