Matty Johns shares Nathan Cleary’s ‘fear’ as Peter FitzSimons calls for a code switch

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

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

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Although Cleary has 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 midfielders in history and a future immortal.

The Panthers are also yet to win the World Cup Challenge, and will not get the chance to add to that trophy after pulling out of the traditional clash against the Super League champions amid concerns of an overloaded schedule ahead of their first game of the season in las vegas

The playmaker is expected to head to the UK in the off-season to visit his girlfriend Mary Fowler, who is in career-best form at Manchester City, with wins in the Super League and the Women’s Champions League last week.

Although Cleary and his father, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, are contracted to Penrith until the end of the 2027 season, there are persistent rumors that Nathan could move to the UK to play rugby league in the Super League.

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

“My only fear with Nathan is that going to England puts him pretty much in the spotlight or basically right in the backyard of these big French rugby clubs and European rugby clubs,” Johns told his SEN show Morning Glory with Matty Johns on Friday. .

“And there would be a temptation (to poach him). Some of them (rugby clubs) will probably look to make an offer sooner rather than later, that’s the only thing I would worry about.”

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

“There have been times in our game where our players have had a big international position, like European rugby and Andrew (Johns) was one of those,” Johns said.

“There was always the temptation to lure Andrew into rugby to take on Jonny Wilkinson.”

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

In his SMH column, Fitzsimons wrote: “It might be best if we in rugby union could get Nathan Cleary off his hands for three years or so, which might give him a taste of a real world stage and put it first.London/Paris/Buenos Aires circuit instead of Cronulla/Campbelltown/Canberra, as good as those cities are.

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

“Get it? NRL compensation is freed up for others to win for a good change, the Wallabies could suddenly be competitive again and Cleary gets to show his wares away from the parish bomb. What’s not to like? “

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

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

Joey Manu has also left the Roosters and started training with Japan Rugby Union’s Toyota Verblitz.

Earlier this week, Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher caused a stir when he joked at the club’s premiership celebrations that they should try to “bring Mary” to Australia.

“I said on the radio last year if we win ’23, we’re definitely going to win ’24 and ’25,” Fletcher told the crowd. “So don’t be afraid of next year.

“We also have the 26th and 27th to finish.

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

“It’s my job and the general manager of football, Matt Cameron, to expand that as much as we can.

“Matt’s job is also that he has to get Mary back to Australia.”

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

“I’m not against it (a Super League move). I’m pretty open-minded about that kind of thing,” he said ahead of the World Cup Challenge match.

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

He said a sea change to the UK was attractive for a number of reasons at the time, having enjoyed his time 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 I really enjoyed it,” he said.

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