- The Penrith star was pictured at the Super League Grand Final on Saturday
- It comes amid rumors linking him with a move to a team in Great Britain
- Cleary guided Penrith to their fourth straight NRL Grand Final win last week
Nathan Cleary has made a huge revelation over rumors he could leave Penrith Panthers and move to the Super League to be closer to his girlfriend and Manchester City star Mary Fowler.
Fresh from leading Penrith Panthers to their fourth straight NRL Grand Final win last week, Cleary – wearing a Hull Kingston Rovers jersey – was at home at Old Trafford on Saturday evening and appeared to be sitting next to his Fowler.
The pair watched as Wigan Warriors were crowned back-to-back Super League champions after a 9-2 win over Hull Kingston Rovers. It means Penrith will now face Wigan in next year’s Club World Challenge.
His appearance at Old Trafford comes amid huge speculation that the NRL superstar could move to the Super League to get closer to Fowler.
NRL great and television personality Matty Johns was among those who had spoken this week about his fears that clubs from across Super League could try to poach the Penrith superstar.
Cleary, whose contract at Penrith expires in 2027, appeared at half-time for an interview with Sky Sports Rugby League presenter Jenna Brooks.
The presenter discussed what has been a huge week for the Penrith playmaker, but was keen to press him on his future in the NRL and whether rumors of a possible move to Britain were true.
‘I have to ask, there are persistent rumors and they won’t go away that we might see you playing in the Super League in the not too distant future as Mary Fowler, your beautiful girlfriend, plays here. Manchester city. So when can we see you in Super League – maybe Hull KR?’ Brooks asked.
Hull KR are coached by former Rabbitohs and Dragons star Willie Peters, while one of Cleary’s good friends and former Penrith star Tyrone May started during the match.
But Cleary threw cold water on rumors he could quit the NRL and move to Britain.
“Not that fast to be honest,” Cleary told Sky Sports News. ‘I’ve seen all the rumours. But come over here and visit her [Mary] play, which is fun and take a break.
“But I won’t be moving here anytime soon.”
His father and coach Ivan Cleary hinted that the Penrith halfback could postpone surgery on his injured shoulder to travel to Britain to spend time with Fowler.
Fowler also played a starring role in Manchester City’s 2-0 win against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday.
She is also likely to feature when Man City travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Women’s Super League on Sunday afternoon.
The pair were spotted together in the stands at Old Trafford before Cleary was taken to the touchline for an interview with Sky Sports.
The NRL star, who interestingly wore a Hull KR jersey, was introduced on-air by Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks as ‘Hull KR’s biggest fan.’
“It’s great to be here, the atmosphere is great and it’s a pretty good first half,” he said.
Reflecting on the celebrations following Penriths’ win, Cleary revealed it had been a big week of celebrations before making the trip to Britain.
‘It was great, a big few days. It honestly still feels surreal, so grateful for what we were able to do.
“Now we have some free time to just enjoy it and relax.”
Cleary is also a close friend of Hull KR’s Tyrone May, with the pair playing together at Penrith between 2017 and 2021.
He added: “I’m only here to support my best friend Tyrone May.
“There was some pretty hard fighting,” he added in the first half of the match. ‘Hull KR started winning field position and Bevan French is a freak.
“He’s just opened up the game and every time he touches the ball he looks quite dangerous to be honest.”
More to follow…
