‘He might want to spread his wings’ – Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt addresses links with NRL superstar
NSW star Nathan Cleary (centre right) with an inset of Joe Schmidt (left)
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has not ruled out a play for NRL superstar Nathan Cleary after the Penrith Panthers man was linked with a shock code-switch.
Cleary’s NRL future has been a hot topic lately, with his Matilda’s star and girlfriend, Mary Flower, plying her trade in the UK with Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.
Joe Schmidt addresses Nathan Cleary code-switch links
Speaking to members of the media at Suncorp Stadium, where Cleary starred for the New South Wales Blues in their 18-6 win over Queensland in State of Origin on Wednesday, Schmidt didn’t rule out a play for the Penrith Panthers ace.
“I watched the State of Origin, he obviously went to Sacred Heart College in New Zealand, that’s Sean Fitzpatrick territory and it’s certainly a rugby school. He might want to spread his wings and play another sport,” he said.
“At the same time, we’ve got a really good stock there that we’re focused on in the short term.”
Rumours of a possible code-switch were sparked by former Wallabies World Cup winner Tim Horan, who claimed the four-time NRL Premiership winner was open to a possible move into the 15-man game.
Speaking on Stan Sports’ Rugby Heaven, Horan said: “You might not have to wait too long (to see Cleary in union), just quietly for that.”
He added: “There’s been some rumours the past two months that he is quite keen to come to rugby (union). I don’t think it’s the right thing for Australian rugby to do, we have a lot of talent coming through, but if Nathan Cleary says he’s interested, you’ve got to have a coffee.”
The Kangaroos, New South Wales and Penrith Panthers half-back would likely move to fly-half if he transitioned into union, but this is an area of relative strength for the Wallabies.
Ben Donaldson has re-committed his long-term future to Rugby Australia, and Tom Lynagh has also been touted as an option moving forward. Noah Lolesio remains an option in the here-and-now, but could be out of the side after the British and Irish Lions series following his move to Japan.
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