Nathan Cleary's huge confession about rugby union switch as Peter V'landys rips rival code

Comments Nathan Cleary made earlier this year about considering a switch to rugby union have resurfaced after former Rugby Australia (RA) chairman Hamish McLennan claimed the superstar halfback had been sussing out a potential move to the 15-man code. On Thursday, McLennan revealed several NRL stars have put feelers out about making the jump to rugby, with the Panthers star the biggest name of all.

McLennan - the man who poached Joseph Suaalii in a massive $5 million coup - said that in May he was made aware of as many as six NRL stars, including Cleary, willing to potentially defect to union. McLennan revealed the players were open to negotiating with RA about a cross-code defection and went on to say he was unsure if the players knew about the third-party approach but insisted it was genuine interest.

"Earlier this year, I got told Cleary and a few other top NRL players were keen to come to rugby via a third party,” McLennan told The Daily Telegraph. "It wasn't directed at me, but I believe it was all real. Perhaps they (Cleary and the other NRL players) wanted to test the waters with a few people, but by then I had left Rugby Australia.

"RA has to go after Cleary, absolutely. I think the next two players Rugby Australia should look to target are Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas. It would be an amazing experience for Nathan. Signing Cleary would be a game changer for the code and add millions to the TV rights deal coming up. Nathan has done it all in rugby league. He has won four premierships with Penrith and played State of Origin and Test football."

McLennan's comments about Cleary's potential interest in May came after the halfback spoke just months earlier about potentially making the jump down the track. Asked by Channel 9 if he'd considering switching codes, Cleary said: "I have great admiration and respect for union players, particularly growing up in New Zealand, it's so big over there. At the moment I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. Somewhere down the track maybe (I'd consider switching). "

Nathan Cleary's future subject of mass speculation

Cleary, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Thursday, is contracted to Penrith until the end of 2027. But many believe at the end of his current deal he could seek a new challenge, having accomplished almost everything in the NRL.

While rugby union could be on the cards, so could be him heading to the UK to play in the Super League, a move that would mean he could be closer to his partner Mary Fowler. Cleary’s relationship with the Matildas superstar has only gone from strength to strength but the couple's long-distance romance makes things difficult.

Panthers boss Brian Fletcher even cheekily suggested the club should "bring Mary back" to Australia, to try and convince Cleary to stay put. But the Penrith halfback has said he won't be moving to England "anytime soon", closing the door on any imminent move.

Peter V'landys lashes Hamish McLennan's claim

Meanwhile, NRL boss Peter V'landys has hit out at McLennan's claims that Cleary and a host of NRL stars could be keen to explore a code switch, stating it is nothing more than rugby trying to grab headlines. "I am surprised that they’re not trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady given their attention-seeking publicity," V'landys said.

"I would be more concerned if I was them with the $80 million worth of debt that they have created which puts the whole game in financial turmoil... There will be (talks) because we have to look at some exemptions – when the credit card expires there will be a lot of rugby union players looking for a home."

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Andrew Voss labels Nathan Cleary claim 'absolute rubbish'

Commentator Andrew Voss also isn't buying McLennan's claims, labelling the idea that several players are looking to make a change "absolute crap". Voss said on SEN radio: “Absolute rubbish, absolute crap. So if this third party has seriously got six people, the first person he rings is the bloke who was punted six months ago, why?"

McLennan claims the approach was genuine, however he never progressed to formal talks. But Voss says his claims are fictional and would be shocked if Cleary went anywhere in the foreseeable future.

But McLennan believes the early success of Suaalii's move to rugby should see RA try and mass-poach NRL stars. “RA has to go after Cleary, absolutely,” McLennan told The Daily Telegraph. “I think the next two players Rugby Australia should look to target are Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas. Signing Cleary would be a game changer for the code and add millions in the TV rights deal coming up.”