He offered a dead-bat to questions about potentially poaching Nathan Cleary but Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was happier to share his plans for another code-switching star, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on track to return from a broken jaw to play against Fiji in July.
Two days after Cleary helped NSW claim a dominant Origin win at Suncorp Stadium, Schmidt fronted media at the same venue to mark the 50-day milestone before the first Test between the Wallabies and Lions there on July 19.
The Wallabies coach was asked about speculation over Cleary’s rumoured interest in playing rugby, launched by two-time World Cup winner Tim Horan on Stan Sport’s RugbyHeaven program on Thursday.
In a segment where former Wallaby winger Cameron Shepherd nominated Cleary as the Origin player he’d hypothetically love to have in the Wallabies, Horan said: “You might not have to wait too long.”
“There’s been some rumours the last two months that he’s quite keen,” Horan added. “I’ve heard it totally separate, he’s quite keen to come to rugby.
“I don’t think it’s the right thing for Australian rugby to do, we’ve got a lot of talent coming through.
“But I tell you what, if Nathan Cleary says ‘I’m interested in playing the game’ you’ve got to have a coffee.”
Nathan Cleary talking to media after the State of Origin victory.Credit: Janie Barrett
Cleary, who admitted in 2023 he was curious about one day making a switch to rugby, is on contract with Penrith until the end of 2027, and earns $1.3 million a season. His next contract would likely be substantially bigger, too, with the NRL salary cap expected to sharply increase in 2028.
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii’s $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii’s pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect.
Cleary’s interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he’s on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law.
Benji Marshall didn’t have much success during his time with the Auckland Blues during the 2014 Super Rugby season.Credit: Getty
Cleary’s manager did not return the Herald’s calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system.
Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors.
“He played soccer as a young man, he’s played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,” Schmidt said. “But at the same time, we’ve got a really good stock there that we’re focused on in the very short term.”
Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii’s progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii suffered a broken jaw during an accidental head knock.Credit: Getty Images
Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed.
But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery.
Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit.
“He’s working hard and he’s looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,” Schmidt said.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match live and on demand.
