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Rugby Australia urged to have ‘a crack’ at signing NRL star Nathan Cleary
By Finn Morton
There is no bigger name in rugby league at the moment than Nathan Cleary, with the Penrith Panthers halfback already revered as a modern-day NRL great. With four premiership rings from the last four Grand Finals, it’s hard to argue with the notion that Cleary is a class above.
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While it might seem ambitious, former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan believes the sport’s governing body should have “a crack” at signing the Penrith playmaker. That suggestion comes after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made a high-profile switch across codes.
Suaalii signed a lucrative multi-year deal with Rugby Australia in March of last year, and while the Sydney Roosters flyer still had some time in the NRL left, those seasons are now in the books. The 21-year-old is firmly focused on what lies ahead in rugby union.
Before the Wallabies and an Australia XV side jet off to Europe for their respective end-of-year tours, Suaalii joined some of the nation’s best rugby talent in a training camp last week. It’s no surprise that Suaalii was already the talk of the town.
Suaalii spoke with reporters after the first day of training in Canberra. Whether or not Suaalii is selected for the Wallabies of the Aussie XV remains to be seen, but the recruit’s name has been in the headlines, and that’s been a massive positive for Australian rugby.
“Joseph has already driven massive interest in rugby union and paid for himself over and over again,” McLennan told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“He’s a global rugby superstar before he has even pulled on a Wallaby jumper, and he’ll be a wonderful role model for aspiring rugby players.
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“The decades-long under-performance of the Wallabies means they need investment in the top tier to drive value in sponsorship, media rights and crowds.
“We haven’t a World Cup since 1999, and a Bledisloe Cup in 23 years, so you don’t need more evidence the system needs an overhaul and to be centralised.”
While Suaalii is a great addition to Australian rugby’s playing pool, McLennan has argued the sport needs “another five Josephs” before the upcoming Rugby World Cup on home soil. Among those, Nathan Cleary was mentioned by name.
Cleary moving to rugby union has been discussed publicly before, with McLennan revealing in April that the Panthers’ star halfback was on Rugby Australia’s hit list. Payne Haas, Cameron Murray and Angus Crichton were among the other leaguies mentioned.
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Interestingly, Cleary refused to rule out a switch “down the track” in an interview with Channel 9. Cleary had grown up in rugby-mad New Zealand and has “a great admiration and respect” for the sport and its athletes.
“I’d be having a crack at the likes of Nathan Cleary and a few others,” McLennan said.
“The game needs another five Josephs as the World Cup for ’27 is just around the corner and the clock is ticking… Thank God for Joseph, because that’s all everyone is talking about.
“Australia is No. 10 in the world (rankings) and needs an injection of talent or there will be nothing left to sell.”
Poor Hamish, still suffering from "Lost Relevance" syndrome. Add that the bloke still hasn't twigged that forwards win matches, not some 26 year old NRL recruit no matter how good he MIGHT be.
I'm sure the whole rugby world would love Cleary to play union, but before giving him the keys to Fort Knox it might be a good idea to (a) ask him to break his contract with the Penrith NRL team and (b) even if he says "Yeah Mate" then give him a minimum of 6-8 matches to see how good he is at picking up the game. One of my sons just finished up with rugby league (local club 3rd grade side) but he will gladly transfer over and play rugger (centre or wing) if Rugby Australia throw him half a mill or so. 🤣
Sorry Maclennan, Coventry is where you were sent and Coventry is where you should stay. You are as relevant as Eddie.
If you are seeking forgiveness for the mess you created - write out a cheque. And add a few million to cover the French Test we played for free!
Well said Willie. Hamish McLennan could also add a megabuck or two to pay for his lavish spending spree in Paris (with current CEO P.Waugh tagging along for the ride) as McLennan tried to win influence for his tilt at the upcoming World Rugby chairman position.
It was opinions like this that got you ousted in the first place McLennan. Get a clue mate.
In a Marvel superhero world, it's tempting to follow the "one man can save the world/code" narrative.
But trying to graft a champion pear tree onto an apple tree and expecting a massive harvest may not necessarily bear fruit .
My suggestion- instead, refertilise and invigorate the roots of the apple tree, turning green shoots and young branches into a stronger apple tree.
How?
Create a number of rugby scholarships, say 50 of $10,000 each for promising young rugby players.
This would be used to cover the expenses of playing overseas in the French, English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, NZ or South African premierships after next year's Lion's tour, or for time off work for high performance placements or special skills training.
The British and Irish Lions tour will see RA with available cash, and rather than invest in just a few players like Nathan Cleary, I suggest we develop our current Super Rugby, Australian U 20s, U 19s players where we have seen very promising results.
I would also suggest targeting established combinations, such as Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen, who played together at U 20s, Easts Shute Shield and are in the Waratahs squad, to be playing at the same club and look to build future Gregan/ Markham combos.
The Wallabies need also to increase their front row depth and quality as Taniella Tupou body has it's own issues.
As we've seen on Dave Rennie's last Spring Tour, and in the recent Rugby Championship game against South Africa, without a highly functioning scrum, a team is pushing it uphill.
And where better for props and forwards to refine their craft than the Northern Hemisphere or South Africa.
Will Skelton, the Arnold brothers, Scott Sio, Angus Scott Young, and Lukhan are someexamples of forwards who have stepped up and thrived O/S.
Cricketers do it(Mike Hussey), actors do it(Guy Pearce, Mel Gibson, the Hemsworths, Margo Robbie etc), why not rugby players.
Travel broadens the mind, you leave your past identity behind, and start life with a blank slate. And get exposure to new players, coaches and systems that advance maturity.
And if the BIL beat us convincingly, a stint O/S would be a great thing to wipe the mental slate clean.
Having said that, Joseph Sualli has got rugby back into the headlines, so we'll take that, but some good on field wins and signs of further growth such as Joe Scmidt has producedwill certainly aid our rugby game.
Hamish just wants Australia to get in before the All Blacks do. League is definitely ripe for the picking.
No. Grow your own players for union. Even if they got him (and that is a Lomu of an IF), the ire and potential consequences get would draw from rugby league would not be worth it.