- Hamish McLennan says rugby should throw big money at Cleary
- McLennan signed young star Joseph Suaalii to a megabucks deal
Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan believes NRL superstar Nathan Cleary should be the rival code’s next target following the signing of young gun Joseph Suaalii.
Suaalii has just completed his first week as a professional rugby player after signing a controversial Megabucks contract with the struggling Code in 2023.
McLennan – who was ousted as chairman on November 19 last year – says the deal has already paid for itself.
“Joseph has already created a huge interest in rugby union and has paid for himself time and time again,” McLennan said SMH.
“He is a global rugby superstar before he has even pulled on a Wallaby jersey and will be a great role model for aspiring young players.
‘The Wallabies’ decades of underperformance mean they need investment at the top end to generate value in sponsorship, media rights and crowd pullers. We haven’t won a World Cup since 1999, and a Bledisloe Cup for 23 years, so you don’t need more evidence that the system needs to be overhauled and centralised.’
McLennan wants the NRL recruitment drive to continue and is urging rugby to open the checkbook for Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary.
“I’d take a shot at people like Nathan Cleary and a few others,” he said.
Ex-Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan believes NRL superstar Nathan Cleary should be rival code’s next target
McLennan says he wants the NRL recruitment campaign to continue
‘The match needs five more Josephs as a World Cup for ’27 [to be played in Australia] is just around the corner and the clock is ticking… Thank God for Joseph because that’s all anyone is talking about.
‘Australia is number 10 in the world [rankings] and needs an injection of talent, otherwise there will be nothing left to sell.’
Cleary, 26, is currently on holiday abroad with his girlfriend, football star Mary Fowler.
Fowler plays her club football for Manchester City and there are rumors that Cleary will be looking for a new sporting challenge.
The halfback dismissed speculation during the grand final in Great Britain, saying: “I’m not moving here anytime soon.”
Cleary’s current contract at Penrith expires at the end of 2027, the same year as his father and coach Ivan.
Cleary is currently on holiday in Britain with girlfriend Mary Fowler
“I’ve seen all the rumors, but it’s nice to come here and see Mary play… [also] nice to take a break,” said the No. 7 champion.
Once Cleary returns to Australia he will undergo shoulder surgery.
He told his mother Rebecca in September it was a matter of nursing the injury during the NRL final.
“I told my mum I had to play three games and that was it,” Cleary said after the 14-6 win over the Melbourne Storm on October 6 at Accor Stadium.
“I knew if I worked hard I could come back [from injury] for those games and be kind.
“We did it.”