Latest news with #JettCleary
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It's time': Stunning development for Cleary family as NRL fans call for big move
Warriors coach Andrew Webster could turn to young gun Jett Cleary after the NRL team lost another halfback in their loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night. The Warriors have been leapfrogged by the Penrith Panthers and lost their spot in the NRL's top-four after a disastrous 32-14 loss to Canterbury. To make matters worse, Te Maire Martin copped a head knock after just 23 minutes and was deemed to have suffered a category-one concussion. It means he'll be stood down for 11 days and won't be available for next week's clash at home against the Dragons. With regular halfback Luke Metcalf gone with an ACL injury, Webster will likely recall Tanah Boyd to first-grade after dropping him to NSW Cup in favour of Martin on Saturday. But he also has the option of handing Cleary his NRL debut. Te Maire Martin will not play for at least 11 days after suffering a concussion in Round 23. Was deemed to have shown Category 1 symptoms (motor incoordination/balance disturbance).His last documented concussion in the NRL was in 2023. But he does have a complex brain injury… — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 9, 2025 The younger brother of Panthers star Nathan, Jett Cleary has stepped up to NSW Cup level in recent weeks after starting the year in Jersey Flegg (Under-21s). Tellingly, the 20-year-old retained his place at halfback in NSW Cup when Boyd was demoted, with Boyd shifting to five-eighth instead. It might suggest that Cleary has his nose in front of Boyd, although it might just be a case of Boyd being more comfortable at No.6 than his younger counterpart. Regardless, there was plenty of chatter on social media on Saturday night that Cleary should be given a chance. The young half has made seven appearances in NSW Cup this season, helping the Warriors continue their record winning streak in reserve-grade. He performed well again on Saturday afternoon as the Warriors beat the Bulldogs 34-30. Speaking last week, Warriors assistant coach David Tangata-Toa flagged that Cleary still has some work to do in regards to playing against men and bigger humans than he's accustomed to. "He's developing really nicely and no doubt there's NRL in the future," he told Sport Nation NZ. "There's some challenges around him playing against bigger bodies and older men." Sooner than anticipated but hell why not give him a crack and see what he's got. We've got nothing to lose. — Radman 🇳🇿 (@RadmanNZ) August 9, 2025 I think it's time for jett cleary 😂 — Name cannot be blank (@AiKae47) August 9, 2025 Jett Cleary surely in nek week — Macsta (@RogerMacsta) August 9, 2025 Id rather we unleash Jett Cleary rather than keeping Tanah. His game is predictable and boring. Jett at least takes the line on and has pace to burn — Imonlyheretotweet⚜️🍁🪭 (@Imonlyheretotw1) August 8, 2025 Yeah throwing him in now isn't the answer. Selections last night seemed confusing. Wet weather football and you put the bomb machine in cup? — something_different (@change_story1) August 9, 2025 Jett Cleary could be pitted in battle with Nathan and Ivan Jett started in the Penrith system as a junior, but signed a three-year deal with the Warriors last year to try and forge his own path away from brother Nathan and father Ivan. If he does get handed a dream NRL debut, he'd be pitted in a battle against Nathan and Ivan as the Panthers and Warriors jostle for a top-four finish. The Panthers are fourth after scoring a ninth-straight win in Round 23, thrashing the Knights 48-12 on Friday night. With the Warriors' loss to the Bulldogs, they're now down in fifth and one point behind the Panthers. RELATED: NRL fans call out Nathan Cleary 'joke' after Andrew Johns complaint Cooper Cronk rips Daly Cherry-Evans over 'poor' scenes for skipper The Warriors are still no guarantee to play finals, but will finish the season with a winning record if they can snatch one more victory on the run home. "Everyone wants to be a top-four team. It gives you a really good shot at the end of the season," Webster said on Saturday night. "But tonight won't define us. We've got a lot of football to play at the back end of this year. No one is happy in there (in the dressing room). We wish we were winning each week at the moment. But there's a lot to build off and a lot of spirit in that group. We'll keep fighting."
RNZ News
31-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Cool the jets: Warriors rule out imminent Cleary NRL debut
Warriors v Dolphins Kickoff 8pm Friday, 1 August Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster is desperate to turn down the volume on calls to hand Jett Cleary an NRL debut this season. As the season has progressed, injuries have taken a toll on the club's first-grade squad, which has had to dip deep into its reserves to cover key absences. Webster has lost starting halfback Luke Metcalf to a season-ending knee injury, while five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita will sit out this week's encounter with the Dolphins , nursing a calf niggle. These setbacks have co-incided with a spike in form from Cleary - youngest son of former Warriors coach, now Penrith Panthers mastermind Ivan and younger brother of Panthers superstar Nathan. All eyes are on Cleary, playing the first season of a three-year contract at Mt Smart, with many - especially across the Tasman - expecting him to force his way into first grade at any time. Webster insists that just isn't going to happen. "Jett's played five reserve grade games this season, but the last two weeks have been his best," he said. "He's had his best two weeks at training, but to be honest, Jett's a long way away. "We believe Jett will be first-grade player at our club, but we're not going to put pressure on him by throwing him in sooner. "If I answer that strongly, everyone hopefully will stop asking." Given his pedigree, Cleary's decision to join the Warriors attracted considerable attention, with the anticipation he would eventually follow his dad and brother into the NRL. Ivan Cleary played 53 games for the Warriors and coached them for six seasons, playing a part in both grand final appearances in the club's history. Jett Cleary scores a try for Warriors reserves against South Sydney. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Nathan Cleary was a Warriors ballboy as a kid, but has grown into one of the game's greatest-ever players, combining with his father to help the Panthers to four straight premierships. Jett Cleary, 20, has spent most of this season in the Warriors Jersey Flegg (U21) side, but with injuries higher up the depth chart, he has progressed into the reserves side, currently riding a 14-game winning streak in NSW Cup. Last week, he scored two tries and added two conversions, after taking over goalkicking duties from Taine Tuaupiki, in their 68-6 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs. That performance has tongues wagging about his inevitable promotion to the top level. Cleary began the season behind Metcalf, Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin and Luke Hanson among the club's halves. Metcalf is gone for the season and the next three are now on first-grade duty - Martin primarily as a utility - while Hanson is also injured. "Everyone likes to put pressure on Jett for obvious reasons and we love him, he's going great, but he's got a lot to work on and he knows that," Webster emphasised. "He's had a terrific couple of weeks and he's building confidence, but you don't need to ask if he'll be playing seniors - we just wouldn't do that." With the injury toll mounting in first-grade, a depleted reserves side face a major challenge to their unbeaten run, when they visit Wollongong to face St George Illawarra Dragons in a top-of-the-table encounter on Saturday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stunning development for Nathan Cleary and brother as Tigers torched over Luai move
It was a family affair for the Cleary clan on Saturday as Nathan put on a clinic for the Panthers against the Wests Tigers. But his heroics might not have been the best performance of the day by a halfback named Cleary. Younger brother Jett produced his best game at NSW Cup level to date as the Warriors' reserve-grade team trounced the Rabbitohs 68-6. Jett scored two tries and had a hand in a plethora of others, while also slotting two conversions after taking over the kicking duties late in the game. Souths were absolutely decimated due to the injury crisis engulfing their first-grade squad, meaning NSW Cup players were playing up at NRL level. But it shouldn't take anything away from Cleary's performance, with the 20-year-old stepping up to reserve-grade level himself. Luke Metcalf's ACL injury has seen Tanah Boyd move up from NSW Cup to NRL, which in turn has seen Cleary promoted from Jersey Flegg (Under-21s) to NSW Cup. Saturday marked Cleary's third game in NSW Cup since Metcalf's injury forced a reshuffle, and the Warriors have won all three. Cleary hasn't missed a beat as the Warriors continued a historic winning streak with their 14th victory in a row. It's the all-time record for most-consecutive wins in NSW Cup. Jett continues to make a name for himself after splitting with his famous brother and father and heading across the ditch. The 20-year-old is a Penrith junior, but signed a three-year deal with the Warriors to try and forge his own path away from the Panthers. They started him in Flegg, it's good to see they are bringing him along slowly — James Cheeseman @ (@shaggy84329) July 27, 2025 Come home some day Jett. Good to see your career come along though — Michael Bianchi .. Panthers 1991-2003,21,22,23,24 (@Penropennies) July 27, 2025 Can he kick? Surely he gets a chance. Tannah Boyd is not the answer. — Rich Giovanni 'Conte' Mollo (@mollogio) July 26, 2025 He's going to look great back in the panthers jersey after this unofficial 'loan' ends - kids got talent — Sport Season (@NRLFan1967) July 26, 2025 Nathan Cleary in ominous form for Panthers Just a few hours after Jett's superb display, his brother Nathan was doing similar things at NRL level. Nathan had three try-assists and a line-break, while also kicking six from six conversions in the Panthers' 36-2 victory over the Tigers. The fact he's goal-kicking again means his groin injury is well behind him, and it's a scary sight for the rest of the NRL. The Panthers have now won seven-straight games in a stunning surge up the NRL ladder after sitting rock-bottom just two months ago. Ivan Cleary's side are now fifth on the NRL ladder and just three points behind the Warriors in fourth. "I'll be happy to make the top eight, really," said coach Cleary after being asked if his team can dare to dream of a top-four finish. "I'm very proud of the boys, the whole club really, the way we've just sort of hung in there and essentially just trusted what we do. It's funny how things fall your way a little bit when you're winning and it's probably the opposite when you're not. We can reflect more on that later on." Tigers' loss piles pressure on Benji Marshall and Jarome Luai The woeful loss for the Tigers has sparked questions of marquee signing Jarome Luai, who moved from Penrith on a $6 million deal last off-season. The $1.2m-per-year offer was too good to refuse as it allowed Luai to set his family up, but questions are being asked as to whether the Tigers overpaid. Luai won four premierships at Penrith, but has struggled while trying to be the main man at the Tigers and step out of Cleary's lengthy shadow. He hasn't scored a try all season and only has 10 try assists after 21 rounds. RELATED: Cameron Munster 'open' to switch to Melbourne Storm's rival NRL world all says same thing about Reece Walsh after Broncos loss One person wrote on social media: "As a Wests Tigers fan for nearly 49 years I am getting incredibly frustrated with the club! We paid big money for Jarome Luai for what! I thought he was the answer to turning the team around! Big mistake we do better without him!" Another wrote: "Luai was NEVER going to be a messiah for the club. He's good, but NOT that good. Wests Tigers need some hard-working raw-boned forwards to help (Terrell) May out. Then you might see some improvement. Sadly I don't think Benji's the answer as coach either." After a promising start to the season, the Tigers are now 13th on the ladder and just two points ahead of the last-placed Rabbitohs. The Titans' win over the Warriors vaulted them out of 17th place and put Wayne Bennett in danger of being handed his first wooden spoon ever.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jett Cleary thwarts Taylan May as young gun takes big step out of brother's shadow
Jett Cleary didn't miss a beat on Sunday as the Warriors' NSW Cup extended their winning streak to 12. The younger brother of Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary, Jett has been handed a massive opportunity to shine at the Warriors after a season-ending injury for NRL halfback Luke Metcalf. Tanah Boyd has been tasked with stepping up from NSW Cup to NRL level, which in turn has seen Cleary promoted from Jersey Flegg (Under-21s) to NSW Cup. The 20-year-old played his third NSW Cup game of the season on Saturday, and showed he belongs in the higher level. Starting at halfback, Jett steered his side to a 22-14 victory over the Magpies - the club's 12th on the trot in reserve grade. The first-placed Warriors will play the seventh-placed Bears in Round 20 with a chance to create history for the club. The record for most-consecutive wins in NSW Cup is jointly held by Parramatta (2005) and Cronulla (2013), who both won 13 in a row. With a historic streak on the line, Cleary showed no signs of nerves on Sunday. He had a hand in three of the Warriors' four tries, including a brilliant off-load close to the ground and a stunning moment on the fourth try in which he spread the ball wide by kicking it off the ground rather than picking it up. But his finest moment came in defence late in the game. Taylan May, who is attempting to make a comeback with the Wests Tigers after being dumped by the Panthers, scored a hat-trick in a stellar performance that would have impressed first-grade coach Benji Marshall. And Cleary denied him a try assist with a desperate play in the dying stages. May made a break and then chipped over the top of the fullback, but Cleary came from the clouds to knock the ball dead when it looked like the Magpies were certain to score. May completed his hat-trick after the ensuing line drop-out, but Cleary's desperation caught the eye of keen observers. The 20-year-old is trying to make a name for himself away from the pressure and weight of expectation at Penrith. A Panthers junior, Jett split from brother Nathan and father Ivan when he signed a three-year deal with the Warriors last year. He said he's keen to forge his own path and doesn't want it to look like he's riding on the coat-tails of his family members. With Metcalf out for the season, Cleary now has an opportunity to show he belongs at the higher level of NSW Cup. Boyd has been brilliant in reserve-grade in 2025, and continued his stellar form at NRL level on Saturday. In his first opportunity in the Warriors' No.7 jersey in first-grade, the veteran starred as the Kiwi team ended a two-game losing streak with a 34-14 victory over the Wests Tigers. Boyd joined the Warriors this year after six seasons with the Titans, but had to bide his time in the reserves. RELATED: Sam Walker linked to rival NRL club amid news about dad and uncle Panthers star hit with ban over illegal act that injured Parra player He kicked well and had a key try assist on Saturday. "He's been frustrated inside, but he hasn't showed it externally, not once," coach Andrew Webster said. "I just said, 'That's a real test to your character, that the team aren't seeing you kicking stones and the team are actually seeing you working hard, and you're making the rest of the club better'. He was a big part of why the NSW Cup team have won 12 in a row, then plays a big part when he gets his opportunity tonight, so just really proud of his character more than anything else."
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Major twist for younger Cleary after decision to split with Nathan and Ivan
Jett Cleary looks likely to take a massive new step in his journey towards the NRL after the Warriors were rocked by two key injuries in their loss to Brisbane in Round 17. Halfback Luke Metcalf suffered a devastating ACL injury that will see him miss the rest of the NRL season. 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.
