Wigan Warriors boss makes wild Nathan Cleary claim; Super League rumours, Penrith Panthers future

Nathan Cleary might have shut down a switch to the Super League for now - but according to one team's boss, the star halfback would struggle to get a start.

The champion Panthers captain was overseas for the English competition's grand final last weekend, watching close mate Tyrone May in action as Wigan downed Hull KR.

While being interviewed on the broadcast, Cleary was quizzed about potentially making the move to the UK in the coming years given his relationship with football star Mary Fowler, who is plying her trade for Manchester City.

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"Not any time soon to be honest," he said.

Nathan Cleary during Penrith's grand final win over the Storm. Getty

"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. I won't be moving over here any time soon."

It's no question that Cleary would be a class above most of the players in the Super League, having dominated the NRL for the past five years with Penrith.

But according to Wigan chief executive Kris Radlinski, the 27-year-old might not have a place open for him at the Warriors if he did want to join the league.

"You know what, I might be the only club in the world who says he might not get into our team," Radlinski told SEN Radio.

"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.

Liam Farrell, Matt Peet and Bevan French after the side's grand final win. Getty

"I think he 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."

Wigan have won the past two Super League premierships, cementing themselves as the standard bearer in the competition with the likes of French at the forefront.

The comments from Radlinski come after reports emerged that Penrith would not play in the World Club Challenge in 2025 due to their opening-round NRL game in Las Vegas.

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