Former Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan reveals multiple NRL stars were approached about joining the 15-man game
Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary headlined a host top NRL stars that explored a move to join rugby union, according to former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.
Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has revealed he was contacted by a third-party claiming a number of NRL stars, including Panthers champion Nathan Cleary, were keen to explore a code switch.
As RA celebrates Roosters defector Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s stunning Wallabies debut last weekend, McLennan lifted the lid on a secret approach from an associate outlining other NRL stars were ready to switch codes for the 2027 World Cup.
McLennan, the man who poached Suaalii for the Wallabies in a $5 million coup, was made aware that some NRL players were keen to switch codes in May, at a time when Cleary was sidelined by a hamstring injury.
It is understood up to six NRL stars were open to negotiations with RA for a cross-code defection.
McLennan says he isn’t sure if the group were aware of the third-party approach, but claims the approach was genuine, and a potential attempt to alert Rugby Australia of other prospective NRL defectors.
McLennan says he never progressed to formal talks with the NRL players because he no longer had official ties with Rugby Australia after being ousted as chairman last November.
McLennan confirmed one of the names put forward included Cleary, the NRL’s No.1 player who led the Panthers to a historic fourth consecutive premiership triumph this season.
“Earlier this year, I got told Cleary and a few other top NRL players were keen to come to rugby via a third party,” McLennan said.
“It wasn’t directed at me, but I believe it was all real.
“Perhaps they (Cleary and the other NRL players) were wanting to test the waters with a few people, but by then I had left Rugby Australia.
“I left it alone as I felt it had nothing to do with me.”
While no formal talks were held, McLennan’s revelation will raise the prospect of further NRL cross-code defections in the afterglow of Suaalii’s sizzling Wallabies debut at Twickenham.
The former Roosters and NSW Origin utility back inspired a 42-37 upset of England, with British pundits lauding Suaalii as one of the finest Australian rugby talents they have seen.
McLennan says the Suaalii signing should be the springboard to RA launching a multimillion-dollar raid on the NRL by targeting the likes of Cleary, Broncos enforcer Payne Haas and Roosters hit man Angus Crichton.
Haas is off-contract at the Broncos in 2026, making him a free agent for the next rugby World Cup.
Cleary, who celebrates his 27th birthday on Thursday, is contracted to Penrith until the end of 2027.
The Panthers maestro has ticked just about every box in rugby league, having won four premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals, State of Origin series and the World Cup for Australia in 2022.
Cleary spent his childhood years in rugby-mad New Zealand while father Ivan was coaching the Warriors and has previously indicated on a rugby podcast that he is open to a code switch.
McLennan believes a successful RA poaching raid on Cleary would be worth millions for the 15-a-side code.
“RA has to go after Cleary, absolutely,” McLennan said.
“I think the next two players Rugby Australia should look to target are Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas.
“It would be an amazing experience for Nathan.
“Signing Cleary would be a game changer for the code and add millions in the TV rights deal coming up.
“Nathan has done it all in rugby league. He has won four premierships with Penrith and played State of Origin and Test football.
“He was previously asked by NRL media about Suualii playing rugby and he mentioned how he loved rugby because he grew up in New Zealand when his dad was coaching the Warriors.
“Rugby Australia should get him for the next World Cup in Australia.
“Nathan Cleary would be phenomenal.”
While McLennan has great admiration for the NRL as a code and the athletes it produces, he believes Cleary and Haas would relish a different type of sporting experience in rugby.
“Imagine Nathan Cleary or Payne Haas singing the national anthem at Twickenham,” he said.
“If you look at Joseph on the field at Twickenham in a Wallabies jumper, that is next level. That is special. That is where rugby has something to offer.
“I’m not saying rugby is better than the NRL, but the vision of Suaalii’s game at Twickenham was insane.
“I’ve previously had a conversation with Payne’s family and I have always liked the idea of Payne Haas playing for the Wallabies.
“He played rugby as a kid and I think he would be a complete wrecking ball for the Wallabies.
“Payne would be sensational. He would have to learn lineouts and scrummaging but he has great fitness, he would dominate rugby.”
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