Latest news with #RugbyHeaven

Nathan Cleary at centre of fresh bombshell after warning about move for Mary Fowler

Yahoo

2 days ago

Business
Yahoo

Nathan Cleary at centre of fresh bombshell after warning about move for Mary Fowler

Wallabies legend Tim Horan claims he's heard growing rumours that Nathan Cleary is "quite keen" on a switch to rugby union. It comes after concerns from Matty Johns earlier this year about losing Cleary to rugby, amid speculation his relationship with Mary Fowler could see the four-time premiership winner quit the NRL and move overseas to be closer to the Matildas star. Fowler plays for English football giants Manchester City and spends the majority of her time in the UK and Europe. And Cleary has admitted previously that moving overseas and playing in the English Super League is something that could interest him in the future. Johns pointed out that a move abroad would put Cleary firmly in the shop window of powerful European rugby clubs and feared it would inevitably lead to a poaching raid from the rival code. "My only fear with Nathan is him going to England puts him pretty much in the spotlight or basically he's right in the backyard of these big French rugby clubs and European rugby clubs," Johns said. "And there would be a temptation there (to poach him). Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make a bid sooner rather than later, that's the only thing that would concern me." But Wallabies legend Horan suggested the NRL should be more concerned about the threat from Australian rugby after suggesting the 27-year-old could be eyeing a code switch. "There's been some rumours the last two months that he's quite keen," Horan said on Stan Sports' Rugby Heaven program this week. "I've heard it totally separate, he's quite keen to come to rugby." Horan's revelation came during discussions around which State of Origin stars could be targeted by Rugby Australia, after Cleary starred in the Blues' Game 1 win over the Maroons. RELATED: Blow for Billy Slater with Queensland player banned from Origin Trainer at centre of Origin incident unmasked as NRL great's brother Cleary has done just about everything in his league career, with four NRL premierships and a World Cup title amongst his extensive list of achievements. The one constant criticism of Cleary is that he hasn't dominated an Origin series, but if the Blues star can help mastermind back-to-back series wins over the Maroons this year, a switch to rugby could be a step closer. The Panthers are last on the NRL ladder and look more like a club in transition after a series of high-profile departures off the back of their four-straight premiership successes. And Cleary might view it as the perfect time to consider a switch, ahead of Australia's home Rugby World Cup in 2027. In order to be eligible to play for the Wallabies though, Cleary would be required by Rugby Australia to play domestically for one of the country's Super Rugby franchises. However, that would put an end to the notion of Cleary moving overseas to be closer to Fowler. Cleary is arguably the best rugby league player in the world and a potential switch to rugby could be even more significant for Rugby Australia than former NRL star Joseph Suaalii's big-money move. Horan concedes Rugby Australia would be silly not to explore the possibility if Cleary was interested, but said the focus should still be on developing players within the 15-a-side code. "I don't think it's the right thing for Australian rugby to do, we've got a lot of talent coming through," the two-time Rugby World Cup winner said. "But I tell you what, if Nathan Cleary says 'I'm interested in playing the game', you've got to have a coffee."