Nathan Cleary's startling confession about Super League switch amid Mary Fowler detail
The NRL superstar says he is open to a potential Super League move.
Nathan Cleary has teased a potential switch to the Super League while in England ahead of the Panthers World Club Challenge showdown against Wigan on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT). A move to the UK for the NRL star is all the more plausible due to his relationship with Matildas and Manchester City forward Mary Fowler.
The pair have been together since late last year and their relationship could see Cleary move abroad to join her, in what would be a massive scalp for the Super League. Cleary told the Mirror that he is open to the switch. "I'm not against it (a Super League move). I have a pretty open mind to that kind of stuff," Cleary said.
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"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."
The Panthers are staying in Manchester ahead of their clash with Wigan and the halfback says he has loved returning to the English city and being near Fowler. "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. I actually really like just being able to wander around the streets and no one knows who you are. I think I’ve only been recognised once. It’s a nice change (to Sydney)."
The Panthers are desperate to claim the club's first-ever victory in the World Club Challenge, having lost the previous two years. Penrith's premiership teams of 1991 and 2003 also failed to beat their British hosts. "Just seeing how much it meant to St Helens and losing that game did hurt," Cleary said about last year's defeat.
"We want to try to correct that this year. Obviously, over there will be a greater challenge in front of their home fans... That's why it's such a great opportunity for us. We as a club have never won it."
NRL fans outraged after Wigan star Harry Smith cleared to play
Rugby league fans have been left fuming after Wigan halfback Harry Smith was cleared to face Penrith in the World Club Challenge. Smith will take his place against Penrith after escaping a ban for his spear tackle on Castleford's Luke Hooley in the Super League.
He was sent to the sin bin for the tackle but will not miss any matches after receiving a Grade B charge from the match review panel. It was ruled that "the unnatural actions of the tackled player significantly contributed to the outcome of the tackle", explaining why the halfback got off without a ban.
Grade B charges usually incur a one-match ban, but previous conduct can be taken into account. The Wigan star has instead copped a $480 fine and footy fans are not happy.
Why can't Harry Smith play in the World Club Challenge but also be punished for a repugnant 'tackle' o. Saturday?
Surely he should have got a domestic ban. No right minded person would say otherwise.
Why bring the sport into disrepute to enable him to play on Saturday night?— Truth Talking Maverick (@TruthTalkingMav) February 19, 2024
For anyone not aware of why Harry Smith hasn’t been given a ban, it’s because he has a big game on Saturday. 👍🏻
— Kes (@kesXIII) February 19, 2024
Luke Yates has hit back at the RFL Match Review Panel after their inconsistency in the Harry Smith case.
What is frustrating to see is the most dangerous tackle of the weekend and one that could end with a life-changing injury to a player was the one that didn’t receive a ban. pic.twitter.com/CnHj72SYLP— The Game Caller 🗣🎙📻 (@TheGameCaller) February 19, 2024
Reminder that Luke Yates will still be serving a month-long ban when Harry Smith takes to the field against us in two weeks time
I can understand inconsistency from refs on the field, but there's absolutely no excuse for it in the MRP, just two weeks apart pic.twitter.com/dxkPyT7q7C— Fee Fi Fo Fum (@FeeFiFoFumRL) February 19, 2024
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