The much-anticipated prospect of NRL superstar Nathan Cleary and his partner, rugby league sensation Mary Fowler, donning the colours of the new Papua New Guinea (PNG) team has encountered a significant hurdle. Hopes were high that Ivan Cleary, Nathan’s father and a highly respected coach, would lead this burgeoning franchise. However, recent revelations indicate that Ivan has decisively ruled himself out of contention for the inaugural coaching role of the PNG Chiefs, casting a shadow over the NRL’s ambitious plans.
The NRL’s chief executive, Andrew Abdo, had openly expressed his enthusiasm for leveraging Mary Fowler’s PNG heritage to galvanise interest and generate buzz around the Chiefs. The ultimate vision, it seems, was to see her partner, Nathan Cleary, playing for the league’s proposed 19th team. This scenario was further fuelled by numerous commentators who speculated about the possibility of both Nathan and his brother, Jett Cleary, representing PNG, with their father, Ivan, at the helm. Given Mary Fowler’s family ties to PNG, a move back to Australia, should the Cleary family relocate to PNG, was not considered beyond the realm of possibility.
Chammas further elaborated on the decision-making process. “Given Ivan’s contract with the Panthers concludes at the end of 2027, it would have been remiss of us not to explore the possibility,” he explained. “However, that decision has been made, and we fully respect Ivan’s choice.”
Ivan and Nathan Cleary’s Future at the Panthers
The PNG Chiefs are slated to enter the NRL competition in 2028, a timeline that conveniently aligns with the current contracts of both Ivan and Nathan Cleary with the Penrith Panthers, which are also set to expire at the end of 2027. Ivan’s disinterest in the PNG coaching role is likely welcome news for the loyal Panthers fanbase, as it suggests his continued commitment to the club. Nevertheless, Nathan Cleary’s future beyond 2027 remains a subject of speculation.
Considering Mary Fowler is a mere 23 years old and enjoying a highly successful career at the pinnacle of women’s rugby league in England, it seems improbable that she would relocate back to Australia in the immediate future to curtail her burgeoning career. This presents a potential scenario where Nathan Cleary might consider a move to the Super League or even explore opportunities in European rugby union if he wishes to be geographically closer to his partner.
Nathan Cleary himself had previously expressed his admiration for the prospect of PNG having its own NRL team. “I think it’s genuinely incredible. I’ve visited PNG once, and it felt akin to a NSW Cup trial match, with a crowd that was unlike anything I’d ever witnessed. I can only imagine what it would be like for them to actually have their own NRL team to rally behind,” Cleary had remarked. “I believe it’s a fantastic development for them. The incentive of tax concessions to attract high-profile players is a smart move. It will certainly be interesting to see how it all unfolds.”
