NSW coach Laurie Daley says he will uphold the "responsibilities" his players have when representing the Blues, but has reserved handing down any sanctions against Mitchell Pearce after he was filmed performing a lewd act with a dog.
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Daley threw his support behind Pearce but refused to rule out the possibility of further punishment for the incumbent NSW five-eighth. Instead Daley insisted he would wait until the Roosters and the NRL finalised their investigations before deciding if Pearce would be eligible for Origin selection in 2016.
"Everyone is aware of what the responsibilities are when they play for NSW," Daley said. "That's something we will uphold. My thoughts aren't in coming down with any sanctions on players. It's a matter of the individual and hopefully [Pearce] is getting the right treatment and the support around him. We are worried about him and we care for him. We want to make sure he is OK.
"While ever the NRL and the Roosters are still investigating it would be inappropriate for me to comment. Mitch is a good kid. Obviously he is struggling at the moment. My thoughts are with him and his family. "
If Pearce is dumped from the Origin arena, it won't be for the first time under Daley's watch. Daley refused to pick Pearce after he was arrested in Kings Cross following a boozy night out. The Blues coach did however stand by Michael Jennings for game three last year when the centre was arrested just days after winning man of the match in Origin II.
"As it stands I am not really keen to say anything," Daley said. "I will have something to say once the NRL and the Roosters finally finish their investigations.
"At this point in time I am going to sit back and think about Mitch and hopefully he is OK. We'll make some determinations after that.
"You do have your own thoughts [after watching the video] but at the moment they will remain with myself.
"He is a good person. Hopefully he gets himself right. He needs to get away from the game and get himself right."
Daley has exchanged texts with Pearce since the Australia Day incident. Pearce is overseas undergoing rehabilitation after he admitted to having an alcohol problem.
"As a coach who has had something to do with him over the last three years, he is a terrific young kid. Obviously he has made an error. As a father myself I feel for him. He does need support and he is getting the help he needs.
"He has a lot of support from myself and I'm sure other Origin and Roosters players. We are hoping he will be OK."
