Ex-Rugby Australia boss urges governing body to sign another rugby league superstar to boost the game ahead of 2027 World Cup
Former Rugby Australia chairman Hugh McLennan and Nathan Cleary in action for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL final.
Former Rugby Australia (RA) chairman Hamish McLennan has urged the governing body’s bosses to sign legendary rugby league player Nathan Cleary ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
McLennan is the man who pushed through with Rugby Australia’s recruitment of another star from the 13-a-side code, Joseph Suaalii, for a deal thought to be around AUS$5.35 million, which will take him to the 2027 global tournament.
The decision to bring in Suaalii was a controversial one due to RA’s financial struggles although McLennan believes former Australian Schoolboys representative Suaalii’s return to rugby union has already boosted the code and is proof that the huge financial deal which Cleary would demand would be worth it.
‘Paid for himself over and over again’
“Joseph has already driven massive interest in rugby union and paid for himself over and over again,” McLennan told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“He’s a global rugby superstar before he has even pulled on a Wallaby jumper, and he’ll be a wonderful role model for aspiring young players.
“The decades-long under-performance of the Wallabies means they need investment in the top tier to drive value in sponsorship, media rights and crowds.
“We haven’t won a World Cup since 1999, and a Bledisloe Cup in 23 years, so you don’t need more evidence the system needs an overhaul and to be centralised.”
The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be held in Australia and McLennan said the Wallabies do not have enough superstars to market the global showpiece.
“I’d be having a crack at the likes of Nathan Cleary and a few others,” he said.
“The game needs another five Josephs as the World Cup for ’27 is just around the corner and the clock is ticking… Thank god for Joseph, because that’s all everyone is talking about.
“Australia is No.10 in the world [rankings] and needs an injection of talent or there will be nothing left to sell.”
Cleary considered to be the best rugby league player in the world
Cleary, who is considered by many to be the best rugby league player in the world, has had great success with the Kangaroos and at club level with the Penrith Panthers, who have been crowned NRL Premiership champions from 2021 to 2024.
According to Australian media reports, Suaalii’s contract is the biggest deal in either code in the country and he was part of a Wallabies training camp in Canberra last week, just a fortnight after representing the Sydney Roosters in their NRL preliminary finals defeat to the Melbourne Storm.
The 21-year-old is set to tour the UK next month, although there is still uncertainty over which Australian representative team he will join.
The senior Wallabies team are set to face England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in Tests while an ‘Australia XV’ team will take on Bristol Bears and an England A team in their fixtures.
There are rumours of discontent among other players in the Wallabies squad about the huge amount of money McLennan and RA bosses offered to Suaalii.
But McLennan has no qualms with it and suggested that he would do it again.
“Anyone who thinks that Joseph is the only player who has earned over a million dollars a year in Australia or overseas is kidding themselves,” he said.
“Yes, he is earning more, but the additional amount he is getting above the other players is worth it… he is worth every cent.”