NRL 2024: Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler spotted at Super League grand final, Penrith superstar addresses Super League switch rumour
Nathan Cleary is one of the many NRL stars that have wasted zero time in flying out of the country to enjoy their off-season, having been spotted in England at the Super League grand final. See where the game’s biggest stars are travelling.
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Penrith champion Nathan Cleary has addressed the persistent rumours that he could be defecting to the English Super League to be closer to Matildas star and girlfriend Mary Fowler.
Australia’s sporting power couple were spotted in the crowd at Old Trafford, where the pair were cheering on Hull KR in the Super League grand final against Wigan Warriors.
Cleary, wearing a Hull KR jersey in support of his former Penrith teammate and best friend Tyrone May, emphatically shot down speculation over his playing future.
“Not anytime soon to be honest. I’ve seen all the rumours but to get to come over here and see here play, which is nice and just have a break.” Cleary said on Sky Sports when asked if he would be making a switch to England.
“But I won’t be moving over here anytime soon.”
After the week celebrating Penrith’s historic four-straight title wins, Cleary travelled to England to spend time with Fowler before going under the knife to repair a shoulder injury he carried throughout the finals series.
The Manchester City striker will line-up against Liverpool on Sunday, where Cleary will be on hand at Anfield.
“The (celebrations) were great, it was a couple of big days,” Cleary said.
“Honestly, it feels surreal still. I’m very grateful for what we have been able to do. Now I get some down time to be able to enjoy and relax.”
The Wigan Warriors were crowned back-to-back Super League champions after a hard fought 9-2 victory over Hull KR.
While Cleary was there to cheer on May, the superstar halfback was full of praise for Warriors playmaker and former Parramatta star Bevan French, whose first half try proved to be the difference.
“It’s great to be here, it’s a great atmosphere,” Cleary said.
“I’m just here supporting my best mate Tyrone May. It’s been pretty hardly fought. I thought Hull started to win the field position but Bevan French, he’s a freak.
“He just broke the game open and every time he touched the ball he looked dangerous.”
Cleary’s Penrith and Wigan were set to clash in next year’s World Club Challenge but with both sides headed to Las Vegas next year, there is doubt over whether the fixture will be played in 2025.
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny is also over in England with Cleary, enjoying some down time over the off-season.
NRL stars are gallivanting across the globe, taking in the sights from everywhere to Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and even the Middle East before pre-season kicks off again – which for clubs that finished outside the top eight will be as soon as November.
Bali is again a popular haunt and weddings are proving to be the event of the off-season.
Nicho Hynes, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Royce Hunt are among the Cronulla stars that have descended onto the island for the wedding of backrower Briton Nikora to his long-time partner Sharmaine.
The Concord-bound Hunt was even spotted lugging around a Wests Tigers water bottle at a popular breakfast spot in Petitenget.
New South Sydney recruit Josh Schuster shared a touching moment with his mother Jackie at her Bali wedding.
Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney is also enjoying some fun in the sun in the popular holiday destination with his girlfriend Madison.
Bulldogs teammate and skipper Stephen Crichton is not jet-setting the world but has been busy on a three-day bucks, which included a paintball showdown and a round of golf alongside former Penrith teammate Brian To’o, Spencer Leniu and Sunia Turuva.
Crichton is set to tie the knot to long-time girlfriend Leone on Thursday with both Bulldogs and Panthers teammates are set to attend the celebrations.
Jarome Luai was a notable mission for Crichton’s bucks party, but the four-time premiership winner is also on wedding duty in Samoa for the nuptials of a family member.
Parramatta’s Makahesi Makatoa is bucking the trend to holiday with his girlfriend Laura in the Caribbean. The couple have visited the picturesque St Kitts and Nevis before heading to Puerto Rico.
Dubai is also proving to be a go-to destination among NRL stars. Canterbury’s Bronson Xerri is lapping up Dubia’s luxurious offerings including a spot of shopping at the city’s many high-end retailers and its world famous beach clubs.
Some NRL stars have opted for a staycation.
South Sydney’s Jack Wighton and his wife Monisha are on a babymoon, ahead of the arrival of the couple’s fourth child, in Hamilton Island.
NRL STARS ENJOYING THEIR TIME OFF
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