‘It’s my only fear with Nathan’: Johns reveals why he thinks Cleary could leave NRL

Matty Johns is concerned rugby league could lose Nathan Cleary to rugby union if he makes the switch to play in the UK.

Cleary is the toast of the NRL after steering Penrith to a historic fourth straight premiership, cementing the Panthers as the best team of the NRL era.

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While Cleary is yet to dominate a State of Origin series or win a Dally M Medal, the 26-year-old has already secured his legacy as one of the greatest halfbacks in history and a future Immortal.

The Panthers haven’t won the World Cup Challenge either, and they won’t get the chance to add that trophy after pulling out of the traditional clash against the Super League champions because of concerns of an overloaded schedule ahead of their season opener in Las Vegas.

The playmaker is expected to head to the UK during the off-season to visit his girlfriend Mary Fowler, who is in career best form for Manchester City, and claimed victories in the Women’s Super League and Champions League in the past week.

While Cleary and his dad, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, are contracted with Penrith until the end of the 2027 season, there are persistent rumours Nathan could move to the UK to play rugby league in the Super League.

But Johns is worried a move to play in the Super League in England would put Cleary in prime position to be poached by European rugby union clubs.

“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 on his SEN program Morning Glory with Matty Johns on Friday.

“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.”

Johns point to his brother Andrew, who attracted interest from union in the early 2000s.

“There’s been times in our game where our players have had a big standing internationally, such as European rugby and Andrew (Johns) was one of those,” Johns said.

“There was always the temptation of luring Andrew to rugby to take on Jonny Wilkinson.”

Meanwhile, former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons has again called on rugby union to poach Cleary.

In his SMH column, Fitzsimons wrote: “The best thing might be if we of the rugby union could take Nathan Cleary off their hands for three years or so, 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 one, as fine as those cities are.

“That would also make it easier to see his partner Mary Fowler, and give him a break from the brutal physical toll of league.

“Get it? The NRL comp is freed up for others to win for a nice change, the Wallabies might suddenly be competitive again, and Cleary gets to show his wares far from the parish pump. What’s not to like?”

It comes as Joseph Suaalii prepares to join the Wallabies after signing a three-year contract worth a reported $5.3 million through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

He will play for the NSW Waratahs and Australia, while Mark Nawaqanitawase takes his place at the Roosters.

Joey Manu has also left the Roosters and begun training with Japanese rugby union side Toyota Verblitz.

Earlier this week Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher caused a stir when he quipped at the club’s premiership celebrations they should try to “bring Mary back” to Australia.

“Last year on radio I said if we win in ‘23, we’ll definitely win in ‘24 and ‘25,” Fletcher told the crowd. “So don’t be afraid of next year.

“We’ve also got ‘26 and ‘27 to go.

“And why I say that is, Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ‘27.

“It’s my job and the CEO of football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as we can.

“Matt’s job also is he’s got to bring Mary back to Australia.”

Cleary said in February he would be open to a Super League move, saying he welcomes new challenges.

“I’m not against it [a Super League move]. I have a pretty open mind to that kind of stuff,” he said ahead of the World Cup Challenge match.

“I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing. I’m not closed off to that idea.”

He said at the time a UK sea change was appealing for many reasons, having enjoyed his time based in Manchester during the Kangaroos’ World Cup campaign at the end of 2022.

“I was lucky enough to spend almost two months in Manchester for the World Cup and really enjoyed it,” he said.

“I’m lucky enough to know a bit about the town now and know where everything is so it’s good to be back.”