- Joe Schmidt didn’t rule out poaching Nathan Cleary
- Panthers halfback widely regarded as NRL’s best player
- Cleary, 27, could seek a new sporting challenge
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt hasn’t ruled out NRL superstar Nathan Cleary sensationally switching footy codes, declaring the champion halfback ‘might want to spread his wings.’
It comes after footy legend Tim Horan turned heads earlier this week when he suggested on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven that Cleary was ‘quite keen’ to jump ship.
‘I watched the State of Origin,’ Schmidt told reporters on Friday.
‘He obviously went to Sacred Heart College in New Zealand when Ivan (Cleary) was coaching the Warriors. That’s (All Blacks great) Sean Fitzpatrick country. It’s certainly a rugby school.
‘He (also) played soccer as a young man. He’s played league so, you know, he might want to spread his wings and play another sport.’
It isn’t the first time the gifted Panthers playmaker has been linked to a shock cross-code switch, and with his girlfriend, Matildas star Mary Fowler based in England, the 27-year-old may also seek a fresh sporting challenge abroad.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt hasn’t ruled out NRL superstar Nathan Cleary switching footy codes, declaring the halfback ‘might want to spread his wings’
Cleary made his NRL debut in 2016, and has gone onto win four premierships with the Panthers (pictured, ahead of the Origin series opener for NSW)
Nathan Cleary and Matildas star Mary Fowler have been Australian sport’s power couple since 2023 – and with Fowler based in England, the halfback may seek a new challenge away from the NRL
Signing on with Rugby Australia is another option – and that would be a lucrative decision for Cleary.
And with the next World Cup on local shores in 2027, rugby fans are hopeful.
Cleary made his NRL debut in 2016, and has gone onto win four premierships with the Panthers.
He won a World Cup with the Kangaroos in 2022 – and has also chalked up 15 appearances for NSW at Origin level since 2018.
Cleary’s current NRL contract with Penrith expires at the end of 2027 – and he also previously stated he would be ‘open’ to new surroundings overseas.
‘I’m not against it,’ he said. ‘I have a pretty open mind to that kind of stuff.
‘Being able to experience different cultures is something I enjoy doing.’
Adding to the intrigue is Fowler recently stating she has no desire to play in the A-League Women’s competition.
‘I’m not going to be playing football in Australia anytime soon, if ever,’ the Matildas star said.
‘I’m going to be in Europe, so if we do this (relationship) it’s going to have to be long distance.’
