One of Australia’s greatest ever halfbacks thinks Mitchell Pearce should leave the Sydney Roosters now that the club has signed Cooper Cronk.

Peter Sterling told Triple M on Monday night that he would leave the Tricolours instead of playing second fiddle to the former Melbourne Storm playmaker.

I’m just trying to put myself in the place of Mitchell Pearce. I’d really struggle to stay,” Sterling said.

“Twenty-eight years of age, over 230 first grade games, current NSW halfback, played 17 Origins.”

Sterling said Pearce was better off leaving rather than play off the bench behind Cronk.

“To then have the alternative of coming off the bench or playing out of dummy-half, it doesn’t appeal to me.”

According to the retired legend, Keary is better suited alongside Cronk than Pearce.

“I’d consider myself an elite halfback, a starting halfback,” he said.

“To sign another halfback and have the thought that it means the hooker can play less minutes, the ramifications for Mitchell Pearce aren’t good.

“I don’t believe Mitchell Pearce fits alongside Cooper Cronk as starting halves.

“Luke Keary had a fantastic season this year. He is the running five-eighth the Roosters need and enjoyed this year.”