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Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'. Pearce represented New South Wales in the State of Origin Series as well as the Australian national rugby league team.
Pearce was captain of the Balmain Tigers rugby league club from 1982–1990. A local junior from the Balmain Police Boys club, he made his debut in 1980 and was quickly marked as a future star. By his retirement in 1990, Pearce was credited as a player who changed the face of rugby league through a great dedication to fitness and match preparation. He is heralded as the player most responsible for Rugby Leagues evolution into the current professional era. During his career his athleticism and staying power overcame his oft-noted lack of natural ability for rugby league.
Pearce's son, Mitchell is a half-back for the Sydney Roosters and New South Wales Blues.
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