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Nathan Cleary one of three NRL superstars on Eddie Jones' 'hit-list'
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has set his sights on three Australian rugby league representatives as potential transfer targets, including two-time premiership hero Nathan Cleary.
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Rugby Australia officially signed Sydney Roosters flyer Joseph Suaalii over a week ago, which ended months of rumours and speculation surrounding his future.
The teenager signed what’s believed to be a multi-million dollar deal through until at least the end of 2027, which cold see him play for the national team at the Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Suaalii has long been considered to be one of RA’s top transfer targets, and they managed to sign the rising star to a lucrative deal – a major coup for the game.
But Wallabies coach Eddie Jones isn’t stopping there. In a conversion with rugby league reporter Danny Weidler, Jones revealed “his three biggest targets.”
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary is believed to be Jones’ “second favourite” NRL player, while Cameron Murray and Matt Burton are also on the coaches’ “hit-list.”
“I don’t know if Waqa Blake is necessarily on that hit-list, but he has been offered to Eddie Jones and rugby union,” Weidler told Nine’s 100% footy.
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“I did have a chat to him to him today, and in an ideal world… his three biggest targets obviously are Cam Murray, he loves Cameron Murray but he said he wouldn’t disrespect Cameron Murray enough to try to get him out of a contract or try and entice him to break a contract.
“But he’s his favourite player in rugby league.
“Second favourite, Nathan Cleary. Obviously he’d be a great 10.
“Nathan did say on Nine News the other night that he has a bit of an interest in rugby, he grew up admiring Dan Carter in New Zealand.
“Matt Burton, he think’s he’d be an absolute smash hit in rugby union… those are the players he reckons.”
Nathan Cleary is widely considered to be one of the best players in the NRL, if not the best.
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The two-time premiership winner has starred at representative level with New South Wales in State of Origin, and won a Rugby League World Cup with Australia last year.
But Cleary, who grew up idolising All Black Dan Carter in New Zealand, hasn’t ruled out a move to the 15-player game.
“I have great respect and admiration for union players, particularly growing up in New Zealand, it’s so big over there,” Cleary told Nine News last week.
“At the moment I’m pretty with where I’m at.
“Somewhere down the track, maybe.”
South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray has also refused to rule out a code switch.
The star lock wants to see out his three-year deal with the esteemed NRL club, but would “contemplate and consider” a career change after.
“Yeah, I contemplate and consider it long-term, but that’s as much energy as I give it, so it’s all hypotheticals right now,” Murray told Nine News earlier this year.
“As far as I’m concerned, my loyalty is with my next three years at the club while I’m contracted here and that’s where my focus and energy is.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments