- Panthers superstar linked to shock code change
- It would have left NRL fans horrified if it had happened
Former Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan has made the explosive claim he was contacted by a third party who assured him Nathan Cleary was interested in switching codes.
Joseph Suaalii made a shock debut for the Wallabies last week after signing a controversial megabucks contract to leave the NRL and defect to the struggling code in 2023.
McLennan, who was removed as RA president on November 19 last year, has now revealed that other high-profile rugby league stars were also interested in code-switching following his departure.
It is understood six players, including NRL number one player Nathan Cleary, were open to negotiations with Rugby Australia.
“Earlier this year, I was told Cleary and a few other top NRL players were interested in coming to rugby through a third party,” McLennan said. News Corporation.
‘It wasn’t directed at me, but I think it was all real.
‘Maybe they (Cleary and the other NRL players) wanted to test the waters with some people, but by then I had already left Rugby Australia.
“I left it alone because I felt like it had nothing to do with me.”
Former Rugby Australia president Hamish McLennan (pictured) says he was secretly contacted by a third party representing NRL players who was interested in code-switching.
McLennan revealed that Panthers star Nathan Cleary was one of the players who wanted to jump ship and join the union.
Losing the world’s number one player to the rival code would have caused shock in the NRL
In October there was speculation that UK rugby clubs were sharpening their pencils to sign Cleary. while visiting his girlfriend Mary Fowler.
“My only fear with Nathan is that his trip to England will put him in the spotlight or that he will basically be in the backyard of these big French and European rugby clubs,” Matty Johns said at the time.
‘And there would be a temptation (to poach him). “Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make an offer sooner rather than later, that’s the only thing I would worry about.”
Johns had first-hand experience, watching in the early 2000s as English rugby clubs desperately tried to sign his brother Andrew.
Former Wallaby and Fairfax columnist Peter FitzSimons wanted UK rugby clubs to seize the opportunity and sign Cleary while he was under their noses.
There was speculation earlier this year that Cleary could sign with an overseas rugby club while visiting Mary Fowler (pictured together).
“The best thing might be if we in rugby union could get Nathan Cleary off our backs for about three years, which could give him a taste of a genuine world stage, and put him on the London/Paris/Buenos Aires circuit rather than Cronulla/Campbelltown/Canberra, as beautiful as those towns are,” he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald.
“That would also make it easier to see his teammate Mary Fowler and give him a break from the brutal physical toll of the league.”
The broker quelled speculation while in the UK, stating: “I’m not moving here anytime soon.”
Cleary’s current contract with Penrith expires at the end of 2027, the same year as his father and coach Ivan.
“I’ve seen all the rumors, but it’s nice to come here and watch Mary play… (also) it’s nice to have a break,” the No. 7 champion said at the time.