The NSW and Penrith halfback has delivered his strongest response yet.
Nathan Cleary has poured cold water on rumours linking him with a switch to rugby union – a blow for fans hoping he moves closer to girlfriend Mary Fowler. Reports emerged in recent weeks that Cleary is interested in a code switch to the 15-man game, and a popular theory is he could end up in England or France to be closer to soccer star girlfriend Fowler (who plays for Manchester City).
But the Penrith Panthers superstar put the rumours to bed on Thursday and seemingly ruled out any hope of a reunion with Fowler overseas (at least in the near future). Speaking in State of Origin camp with NSW, Cleary issued his strongest response yet to the rumours, saying he doesn’t want to “waste” his prime years in rugby league.
The 27-year-old is contracted to the Panthers until the end of 2027, and could earn the biggest contract in rugby league history if he chooses to re-sign. “I think I’ve got enough challenges in front of me playing rugby league,” Cleary told NCA NewsWire from Blues camp in Leura.
“I feel like I want to squeeze the most out of my rugby league potential as I can. I’ve put so much into it and it’s been my passion for so long, so to then get to this stage where I feel like I’m probably playing my best footy and in the best position to play my best footy in the coming years, I don’t want to waste that.
“Going back to Penrith and the way we started the year, that’s a challenge in itself and I’ve found motivation in that. You can’t take winning for granted.”
Nathan Cleary won’t be making switch – at this stage
Cleary would likely dominate the 15-man code if he ever wanted to switch, but the NSW halfback is content in rugby league and has no desire to leave. “Growing up in New Zealand, it’s so big over there, so I do watch a bit of the international game,” he said about rugby union.
I have admiration for those guys and keep up with it, but I much prefer to watch rugby league any day of the week. That’s part of the reason why I hear this talk about me going to rugby union – and I don’t really know where that’s coming from – I think that I love rugby league too much to even process that right now.
“I do have an open mind that later in life maybe (I consider it) but definitely not at the moment. I feel like I have so much more to tap into my potential as a rugby league player. I feel like I’m coming into those prime years and I don’t necessarily want those to go to waste by learning a new sport.”
Ivan Cleary on Nathan to rugby rumours
Speaking last week, Cleary’s coach and father Ivan said: “Nathan’s here for another two years, so that’s where he’s going to be. Nat’s a pretty open-minded kid. That’s down the track, so maybe, who knows? But he’s contracted here for another two years, so that’s what he’s doing.
“I don’t think he reads too much stuff (so it doesn’t worry him). He’s got his own little circle, so I don’t think he’s too fussed. I’m sure he’d be able to play OK (if he did go to rugby). I don’t think he’s ever played. He’d have to avoid all the rucks, kick and goal kick, so he’d go all right.”
