Nathan Cleary talks David Beckham, the price of fame and coping with NRL ‘nitpicking’

Ahead of the World Club Challenge Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary reveals the one member of the all--conquering Panthers squad who doesn’t get the respect he deserves.

Nathan Cleary has always been a Red Devil.

But real recognises real, and in a week where Penrith can rubberstamp their ‘Undisputed’ tag in the World Club Challenge, Cleary isn’t too proud to lower his colours for Manchester City.

Like the Panthers, the Citizens have reeled off three titles in a row.

So it was fitting that the three-time reigning NRL premiers have spent their lead-up to their anticipated clash with Wigan deep in sky blue territory.

“It’s just the appreciation of great teams,” Cleary told this masthead.

“I think it’s easy for people to just start hating on teams that have won. Or great teams.

“But you know, with the position we’re in, you actually appreciate it more because you realise sort of how hard it actually is.

“And so the great teams in the NBA, NFL, Man City, they go down history for what they’ve done. I’ve always liked tapping into that and looking into what makes them special.”

Penrith stars trained at Manchester City's training facilities. Credit: Supplied.

That includes the recent David Beckham documentary, which covered the ups and downs of one of the most famous players in Manchester United history.

The series also went into great depth of his relationship with Victoria Beckham, a harsh reality of life in the public eye that Cleary can relate to with girlfriend Mary Fowler.

“Just maybe not to that extent. That was a whole different ball game. But it puts things into perspective, for sure,” he said.

“I never understood how insane it was. Burning the jerseys, they were even making dolls and hanging them from the windows.

“It actually makes you appreciate, you know, that we don’t actually have it that bad.”

Matt Encarnacion sat down with the Penrith captain in Manchester to talk all things soccer, the World Club Challenge, replacing Jarome Luai and the NRL’s rule changes.

Nathan and Ivan Cleary of the Panthers pose with the Provan-Summons Trophy after their 2023 grand final victory. Picture: Getty Images

THE COACH

Panthers coach, and father, Ivan Cleary, was recently voted the league’s best coach in the annual survey of NRL head and assistant coaches.

Cleary has steered Penrith to a shot at a fourth straight premiership – a feat not achieved since the St George Dragons in over half a century.

Nathan believes the recognition was overdue.

“There are so many great coaches out there. (But) to be fair, dad doesn’t get talked about as highly as some of these other coaches,” he said.

“But what he’s been able to do in this last 3-4 years is pretty incredible. He’s just built a culture where it’s built around success and putting the team first.

“But you know, at the end of the day I think he’s happy to be behind that and not getting all the accolades.”

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers looks dejected after defeat during the World Club Challenge match against St Helens. Picture: Getty Images

THE RULE CHANGES

Cleary said the league was already trending towards short line dropouts before the NRL made the surprise decision to tweak the rules and encourage more 50-50 contests.

“I don’t think it’ll be as big as what probably everyone thinks,” he said.

“A lot of teams are going short anyway. So I think more people will go shorter, it will be probably the natural thing that everyone does it on a short on a restart, but I don’t mind it.

“It’ll be interesting one to see how many people actually try and do it at kick-off though, because at the end of day, it’s still a pretty big risk, particularly if it’s in a close game.”

Cleary was less welcoming of the bunker now being given more power to look at field goals.

“I think that opens up a can of worms. It’ll be so nitpicked, especially if they’re looking for off-side and that. I suppose it’ll be interesting,” he said.

Nathan Cleary is not a fan of the Bunker becoming involved in field goals. Picture: Getty Images

THE TITLE FIGHT

It was a year ago when the Panthers had their pants pulled down by St Helens on their own turf, instantly raising question marks on whether they could claim the threepeat.

The lesson for Cleary was clear.

“St Helens just outplayed us last year, and they were really physical and sort of threw us off the game we wanted to play,” he said.

“So sort of knowing that and just sticking to our processes, no matter what’s thrown at us. Sticking to what we do well and not trying to go outside that box too much.”

Three times Penrith have played in the World Club Challenge, for three losses, the first of which was also against the Warriors after their maiden premiership in 1991.

“We haven’t won one as a club. So yeah, it’s a great opportunity and it’s also going to be a great challenge over here with a sold out stadium,” Cleary said.

Jack Cole is the heir apparent to Jarome Luai. Credit: NRL Images.

THE YOUNGSTER

Gone from last year’s grand final side are Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Jack Cogger.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai is also out injured, with 20-year-old Jack Cole to take his place in what could be a sign of a future without the Wests Tigers-bound star.

“Him and Romey do have similarities, though I do think they are quite different,” Cleary said.

“He’s an x-factor, he’s a livewire. And I’ve just really enjoyed him grow even just through this pre-season. He was playing really well in (NSW) Cup last year.

“He’s killed it in junior grades coming through to take that next step. He’s working really hard on his game and really evolving it too.

“He was just a natural runner of the ball but he’s really starting to pick up his ball-playing, kicking game and becoming a more rounded player.”

Originally published as Nathan Cleary talks David Beckham, the price of fame and coping with NRL ‘nitpicking’