Nathan Cleary refuses to shut down rugby defection rumour: ‘Potentially down the track'
The rugby defection rumour continues to follow Nathan Cleary and the star New South Wales halfback has left the door ajar for it.
Four-time NRL premiership champion Cleary is heading to Perth for State of Origin II on Saturday, where he and his Blues teammates will attempt to clinch the series against Queensland, who were completely outplayed in the series opener last month.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nathan Cleary leaves door ajar for rugby defection.
But with the chance to win back-to-back series for the first time since 2019, Cleary is facing more questions about his future in the code than his role in the current series.
'Been asked this a few times today; no, I haven't,' Cleary told 7NEWS when cheekily asked if he had already signed with the Wallabies.
He didn't rule it out though.
'I've got a pretty open mind to be honest, like, potentially down the track — but at the moment, definitely not at the moment,' Cleary added.
He is contracted at Penrith until the end of 2027, but reports Cleary may be interested in rugby union emerged earlier this month when Wallabies legend Tim Horan said the Penrith star was 'quite keen' to switch codes.
It would also open up the possibility for Cleary to play overseas, where he could be closer to partner Mary Fowler, who lives for most of the year in England, where she plays for Arsenal in the Women's Super League.
Parramatta and NSW great Peter Sterling can't see Cleary moving any time soon though.
'I don't think Nathan's going anywhere for a long time,' he told 7NEWS.
'I still think he thinks he's got a fair bit to prove despite the success that he's had. Like he's in his sweet spot.'
Cleary will reunite with former Panthers teammate Jarome Luai — who was a major cog in their four-straight premierships — in the halves for Origin II after Eels skipper Mitch Moses was ruled out due to injury.
Sterling said Luai will slot straight back into the Blues lineup seamlessly.
'You know what you're gonna get with Jarome Luai,' he said.
'Obviously he's got a great relationship with Nathan Cleary
'We all know he'll do the job. He doesn't look out of place in Origin — never has.'
Sterling said Queensland's axing of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is an ominous sign.
'To me it's a sign that they've got a few problems,' he said.
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