Ex-All Black names NRL star who would ‘100 per cent’ thrive in Wallaby gold

In a sporting world of hypotheticals, debate and discussion, Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Stephen Donald can “100 per cent” picture Nathan Cleary thriving in a Wallabies jersey.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is the talk of the town in Australian rugby at the moment with the former Sydney Roosters flyer impressing for the Waratahs in the team’s dramatic 37-36 win over the Highlanders to open their account in Super Rugby Pacific this season

Suaalii, 21, had already announced himself to the rugby world with a sensational debut for the Wallabies last November, with the backline utility earning Player of the Match honours in a thrilling five-point win over England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

After the code-hopper’s debut for the Tahs, former All Black Donald was asked to name another star from the NRL who has what it takes to shine bright over in rugby union. With the Panthers having won the last four Premierships, isn’t wasn’t a shock to hear Donald pick Cleary.

Cleary has led Penrith to the last five NRL Grand Finals, including a historic four-peat of titles under father and coach Ivan Cleary. As a three-time State of Origin winner and a Rugby League World Cup champion as well, some consider Cleary to be an NRL immortal-in-waiting.

“I used to think the obvious option for me was Queensland Maroon and Gold Coast Titan David Fifita. Just get him running 12 lines hard. He’s a monster,” Donald said on The Aftermatch.

“But when you look at all the stuff that Joseph’s done, you go straight to the top. You would be robbing my NRL team of its superstar, but you go Cleary.

“The way that Cleary plays, he could transition to rugby because he plays a lot squarer than a lot of league halfbacks, he keeps his feet when he’s passing.

“Mat Rogers came across as a rugby league winger and yep, started in the outsides and worked his way in. I’d say within a year or two, he was absolutely killing it with the Waratahs at 10. I had my debut, I came off the bench, and we played the Waratahs in Sydney, and he was absolutely shredding.

“It might take a year or two but 100 per cent, he’s got all the skillsets. And the way he plays, you could easily close your eyes and go, ‘Yep, I could see that working at 10.’ A lot of the league kicking is done back off the line, he does it in the line, he also has a long kicking game which you’re going to need at 10 to clear your lines and what have you.”

Cleary expressed a brief desire to switch codes in 2023, with the representative halfback saying he “couldn’t see myself doing it” before adding, “there is a little part of me that thinks it would be cool to try it out.”

As first reported by The Australian in 2023, Cleary was also believed to be on Rugby Australia’s hit list as they prepared to raid the NRL of talent ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series and a Men’s Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2027.

When Eddie Jones was coaching the Wallabies, other NRL players like Cameron Murray and Payne Haas were also mentioned, but broadcaster Kirstie Stanway-Thorne has gone in another direction by name-dropping Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh.

“Reece Walsh… when you’re looking at Suaalii, it’s his age, right, he’s got time, he’s only 21. He’s got so much time if he wants it in rugby. Reece Walsh, he’s got time,” Stanway-Thorne added.

“Problem with him is, unlike Cleary, he hasn’t done everything in the game of rugby league, he hasn’t ticked everything off.

“But if you’re thinking eyeballs and fans, one of the biggest names in the NRL, half a million followers on Instagram alone… his skills, unbelievable.”