Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has not dismissed the idea of his son, Nathan, potentially transitioning to rugby union in the future, particularly in light of comments from rugby legend Tim Horan suggesting Nathan might be considering such a move. This speculation arose during a recent episode of Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven, sparking considerable discussion among fans.
Adding to the intrigue, Nathan’s girlfriend, Mary Fowler, is a professional footballer with Manchester City. Ivan Cleary clarified that his son is currently under contract with the Penrith Panthers until the end of 2027, which means that Nathan’s immediate future lies in rugby league. He stated, “Nath’s here for another two years so that’s where he’s going to be,” while acknowledging Nathan’s open-minded nature towards future opportunities.
When asked about the media speculation, Ivan mentioned that Nathan is generally unaffected by outside opinions as he doesn’t engage extensively with the media. In jest, Ivan contemplated the logistics of Nathan fitting into the rugby union setup, suggesting that to succeed he would need to avoid the rucks: “I’m sure he could play OK. I don’t think he’s ever played [rugby union],” he quipped.
Additionally, Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll weighed in during a segment on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports Radio, declaring that a switch to rugby union would be an easy decision for Nathan, stating he would “make defence look like traffic cones.” However, Ivan Cleary responded with a chuckle, disputing the notion that Nathan lacks challenges in the NRL. “He’s always trying to get better and loves what he’s doing,” he asserted, emphasising that Nathan is focused on continual improvement rather than contemplating a career shift.
In conclusion, while the prospect of Nathan Cleary shifting to rugby union has been raised, Ivan reaffirmed that his son remains committed to the Panthers for the time being, viewing the speculation as part of the broader conversation surrounding his career.