Major twist for younger Cleary after decision to split with Nathan and Ivan
And fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad went down with a medial ligament tear and will miss the next four weeks. It means coach Andrew Webster will need to do some shuffling with his all-important spine, and it will have a flow-on effect to the lower grades.
One of Te Maire Martin or Tanah Boyd will step into Metcalf's No.7 role, and the other could fill a utility spot on the bench. Taine Tuaupiki or Moala Graham-Taufa will come into the back-line to replace Nicoll-Klokstad, although Webster could also choose to use Martin at fullback.
And that's where Cleary comes in. Martin and Boyd have spent the majority of the season as the Warriors' halves in NSW Cup - the reserve grade competition under NRL level. But if Martin and Boyd are both required in first-grade, Cleary will be the man to step up to NSW Cup level.
The younger brother of Panthers star Nathan Cleary (and son of Penrith coach Ivan), Jett has spent the majority of the season playing Jersey Flegg for the Warriors - the Under-21 competition. Jett stepped up to NSW Cup level last weekend when Martin was on the bench for the Warriors' first-grade side and Boyd was 18th man.
Because the Warriors' first-grade was playing in a different state to their NSW Cup side, Boyd had to travel to Brisbane. It meant Cleary was promoted to reserve-grade for the second time this year, and he didn't miss a beat as the Warriors beat Manly 26-4 to extend their winning streak to 11-straight matches.
The injuries to Metcalf and Nicoll-Klokstad will likely see Cleary get a lot more game-time at NSW Cup level - an important step as he continues his development. And ditto for fellow playmaker Luke Hanson, another Penrith junior poached by the Warriors. After a bye this weekend, the Warriors' reserve-grade team will be eyeing the NSW Cup record of 13-straight wins set by Parramatta in 2005 and Cronulla in 2013.
I guess Jett Cleary steps into that 7 jersey when Tanah Boyd steps into Metcalf's 7 jersey 🤔
— Steve Woosnam (@SteveWoosnam) July 1, 2025
We'd suspect so mate. Jett had a great game on the weekend. The guy we expect to step up in that cup side now is Luke Hanson. He's been so under the radar since coming from Penrith and it's his big chance !!
— The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) July 1, 2025
The 20-year-old Jett is a Penrith junior like his brother, but made the staggering call to sign with the Warriors on a three-year deal last season. Back in March, Jett opened up about why he left his brother and father to sign with the Warriors, revealing he was keen to make a name for himself and not ride the coat-tails of his family members.
"Obviously, there's Nathan and dad and they've got their own thing going in Penrith," he told TV network 1News in Auckland. "I could've easily stayed there and rode what they're doing now because they are pretty successful, but I thought this was a good opportunity to step out of the limelight a bit and do it my own way and try succeed on my own."
RELATED:
Liam Martin withdraws from rep games to be by fiancee's side
Toby Sexton in $1 million club switch to replace premiership hero
Jett was actually born in Auckland while father Ivan was an assistant coach at the Warriors. He lived in Auckland until he was 7, before the family moved back to Australia in 2012.
"Most of the time I was in the creche in the little kids section (of the club). That was always fun," he said. "It's so weird because I used to joke with my mates and my mum that I'll go play for the Warriors one day. I always joke with mum that I kind of spoke it into existence I think, I love the Warriors and I've always wanted to play for them."
Panthers fans are convinced he'll return to Penrith to partner brother Nathan in the halves when his three-year contract expires. For the time being he'll have a golden opportunity to show what he's capable of when he steps up a level.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NBA Insider offers \
When it comes to the current contract standoff between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga, there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. Both sides seem to be pretty dug in on their current expectations of what a deal between the two parties should look like. However, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne believes she has an easy fix for both sides, which could potentially end the stalemate and get everyone back on the same page. Shelburne's idea would be to add an extra year to the Warriors' current contract offer. Shelburne's comments came via an Aug. 15 episode of ESPN's NBA Today. 'I think he's going to be on the Warriors,' Shelburne said. "And the only question is, how much are they paying him? I think there's an easy solution here, which is that the Warriors give him an extra year. It'll be like a two-plus-one, where he has a little more control, a little more guaranteed I do think the Warriors see him as somebody who's, if he wants to call it, a building block, I don't know if I would call it that, but somebody they want around for a long time, because they have 35-year-olds on their team. I know the owner, Joe Lacob has told him this. He loves Jonathan Kuminga. He is the reason that they've never included him in trades, because they see the potential in him.' The Warriors have reportedly offered Kuminga a two-year $45 million contract, with a team option on the second year, while also having him waive his no-trade clause. However, Kuminga would prefer a deal that allows him to keep some control over his future, as he sees the current offer as giving up too much power to control his own future. Shelburne's idea could solve the current rift between Kuminga and Golden State's front office. However, if he's dead set on signing his qualifying offer or forcing his way out of the franchise, no alterations the front office makes will be deemed good enough. It will be interesting to see how much longer this standoff lasts, and more importantly, how it ends. This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Not the right time': Family detail as major news about Cameron Smith emerges
Kevin Walters has revealed Cameron Smith won't be part of his coaching staff when the Kangaroos travel to England for the end of year Ashes tour, with the NRL legend choosing to prioritise family and his media commitments instead. Smith was believed to be in the running for the Kangaroos role when Mal Meninga departed, but it went to Walters instead. There'd been speculation that Smith would become an assistant to Walters when Australia play three Tests in England after the completion of the NRL season. But the Kangaroos coach revealed over the weekend it won't be happening. 'I don't think Cameron will be involved,' Walters told . 'It's just not the right time for him to be involved. We'll let him do what he needs to do with his commentary and family and we'll get on with the tour. 'It's been a bit of a slow process (finalising support staff), but that's okay. I've spoken to (Justin Holbrook and Trent Barrett) but we're still contemplating what the makeup of the staff will be.' Cameron Smith puts family and commentary first Speaking last month, Smith admitted he'd have to weigh-up what was best for his young family and role with Channel 9 when making a potential move into coaching. "I love my role with the commentary team at the moment, I've got three young kids as well, I'm up in Bundaberg watching my eldest play netball (tonight)," he said on Channel 9. "But it's a wonderful opportunity to be able to coach our country. I was lucky enough to play for Kangaroos many, many times. To be able to coach such a wonderful team full of wonderful footballers would be a great opportunity." Tellingly, Smith said he understood why Brad Fittler withdrew from contention when the former NSW coach was believed to be the initial front-runner. Fittler also holds a role with Channel 9, which he's enjoying much more after stepping down as Blues coach in Origin. Kevin Walters responds to Payne Haas' defection Meanwhile, Walters has dismissed comments from Wayne Bennett that the ARL Commission made a 'ridiculous' call not to allow an NRL head-coach to take the Kangaroos job. And he also responded to news that Payne Haas has officially declared his allegiance to Samoa over Australia. 'The decision to not get someone from NRL land was made for a reason. It's not because they couldn't do it, it's just the workload," Walters said. "(Haas' decision) wasn't surprising to me. It's been on the table for probably 12 months. I'd like to have seen Payne playing for Australia, but I respect his decision. 'I said to him from the get-go when I got the job, 'Mate, whichever way you go, we've still got a strong relationship and that remains intact'. I'd like the opportunity to work with him again but he's chosen Samoa and I totally respect that." RELATED: Fans' telling response after Channel 9's divisive post-game move Second Storm player under fire after controversy in Panthers game Walters is also facing the prospect of losing Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The Queensland State of Origin stars are also leaning towards representing Samoa over the Kangaroos.
Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Washington Post
Injured Wallabies Slipper and Pietsch ruled out of second test against South Africa
JOHANNESBURG — Australia prop James Slipper and winger Dylan Pietsch were ruled out of the second Rugby Championship test against South Africa in a double blow to the Wallabies' hopes on Sunday. Slipper reported concussion symptoms after the shock 38-22 win over the Springboks on Saturday in Johannesburg and failed a head injury check.
