Wigan Super League chief’s stunning Nathan Cleary claim

A Super League boss has made a staggering call about four-time premiership winner Nathan Cleary amid his UK links.

A Super League supremo has made the shocking claim Nathan Cleary wouldn’t get a start in his side after the halfback shut down speculation of a potential move abroad.

Clear, now a four-time NRL premiership winner, was overseas for the Super League Grand Final last weekend to support good mate Tyrone May in his Hull KR side’s loss to Wigan.

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“I won’t be moving over here any time soon,” Cleary said when asked on the swirling rumours during the game.

Despite the 27-year-old being regarded as the code’s best player, Wigan chief executive Kris Radlinski made a bold claim when speaking to SEN on Wednesday.

He wasn’t sure Cleary, a player any club would be desperate to have on their books, would find a place in the Super League champions’ top 17.

Nathan Cleary celebrates the Panthers’ fourth straight title. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“You know what, I might be the only club in the world who says he might not get into our team,” Radlinski said.

“I mean that really respectfully because I love him but at the minute I’ve got Bevan (French) at No. 6 and I’ve got a guy at No. 7 called Harry Smith who had an outstanding grand final and we’ve got him long-term and I believe he is the future.

“I think (Cleary) witnessed the game at Old Trafford and he would have been really impressed by what he saw.

“I absolutely love him and his relationship with his father and what he’s doing, but I just don’t think he’d get in our team and that’s probably a headline right there.”

Cleary’s current contract expires at the end of 2027, the same year his father and Penrith coach Ivan’s deal is up.

And while the No. 7 told Sky Sports a move to the UK wasn’t on his radar right now, he didn’t scupper the move indefinitely.

Speculation has increased due to girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler’s career blossoming with Manchester City.

“I’ve seen all the rumours, but it is nice to get to come over here and see her play, which is nice to just have a break,” Cleary said.

Wigan have won the past two Super League premierships to again cement themselves as a Super League powerhouse.

Radlinski’s comments follow reports Penrith would not contest the World Club Challenge in 2025 due to time restraints regarding next season’s opening-round NRL game in Las Vegas.

Originally published as Wigan Super League chief’s stunning Nathan Cleary claim