New Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson wants the NRL club to lock halfback Mitchell Pearce into a long-term contract.

Pearce - who was sounded out as a potential Roosters captain by Robinson on Tuesday - is off-contract at the end of next season, and is rumoured to be in the sights of a number of clubs including St George Illawarra.

There were rumours throughout the 2012 season that Pearce wanted out of the Roosters as his relationship with sacked coach Brian Smith deteriorated, but Robinson is keen to lock up his No.7 for a number of years.

"Mitchell is our halfback, that is where we want to go in the future, we want him to be seven and I think Mitchell wants that as well," Robinson said.

"Hopefully over the next few months we will sort that out, I would like to think he would be here long-term."

Robinson was unable however to shed any light on when the club would be in a position to announce the signing of All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams.

Williams on Tuesday announced he would be having a boxing bout against South African 44-year-old Francois Botha on November 24.

Robinson confirmed he had spoken to Williams about how he would fit into the Roosters squad.

"I have had a chat to Sonny, I want to make sure that if he does come on board that I am ready for integrating him into the group," Robinson said.

"I think he is positive about what might happen as well."