'Definitely not': Warriors coach rejects Nathan Cleary signing speculation
Warriors coach Andrew Webster has poured cold water on any notion of the club signing Nathan Cleary, as he prepares to test his value on the open market.
With his current deal at the Penrith Panthers ending at the end of 2027, Cleary is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 this year.
While there is no indication any way in which Cleary might lean, speculation on both sides of the Tasman has placed the Warriors as a contender for his signature.
The 28-year-old spent his formative years in New Zealand, while his father Ivan coached the Warriors, before moving back to Australia after the club’s run to the 2011 Grand Final.
In the years since, Nathan has established himself as arguably the best player in the game, led the Panthers to four successive premierships, won a World Cup with Australia and enjoyed a State of Origin series win with New South Wales this year.
However, while there is a link between Cleary and the Warriors – should he choose to leave Penrith – Webster asserts there has been no discussion over his signing, given it falls outside the NRL’s November 1 regulations.
“I got sent the story that was on [NRL]360 the other night, where a journalist was tipping he was going to come here or Papua New Guinea,” Webster said.
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary. Photo / Photosport
“We are definitely not in talks with Nathan Cleary. None of his representatives have contacted us. It’s not even legal, it can’t happen.
“Everyone is trying to guess what Nathan is doing. They can see the romance in the Warriors, I see the romance. He went to school here, he was a ballboy here. I can see why they’d put two and two together.
“But there’s certainly nothing in that, at all.”
Cleary has also been linked to the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, where he’d reunite with long-time Penrith teammate Jarome Luai, as well as a move to the English Super League, where his partner – Australian footballer Mary Fowler – is based.
Webster and Cleary have an existing relationship through their years at Penrith, while younger brother Jett is also on the club’s books.
Cleary currently commands a salary of more than A$1.3 million ($1.56m) per season and would theoretically force a club into some difficult choices on its roster.
On the other side of the coin, Webster also calmed any notion of hooker Wayde Egan departing, with November 1 also looming as the chance for him to negotiate with rivals.
In 2024 Egan re-signed with the Warriors long before November 1, the club ensuring no rival had a chance to sign him.
Speculation about a departure for Wayde Egan, pictured in action against the North Queensland Cowboys on June 21, has no basis in plans for the Warriors, coach Andrew Webster says. Photo / Photosport
“We’ve got no intention for that to happen,” Webster said. “But if those rumours are true, those clubs can’t have conversations with those players until November 1.
“I’m not nervous about it. Wherever these rumours are coming from, I’m sure people will get bored.”
Asked earlier this year, Egan said he had given contract negotiations no thought, in order to concentrate on playing for the Warriors.
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.
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