LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Former Rugby Australia bigwig, Hamish McLennan, has issued a call to arms for the 15-man game to set its sights on Penrith Panthers powerhouse Nathan Cleary and offer him the world as they gear up for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The push from McLennan comes hot on the heels of Joseph Suaalii's high-profile switch to rugby union, a move that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world.
Suaalii, now training with the NSW Waratahs and the Aussie squad, inked a deal worth a cool $5 million with a potential player option of $4 million over two years.
With Suaalii making a splash in union after making his mark with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, rumors are swirling about more league stars making the leap across codes.
There's even talk of a potential exodus from union to league, with players like Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase eyeing up a switch.
"Joseph's arrival has sparked a fire in rugby union and his value is undeniable," remarked McLennan, ex-chair of Rugby Australia, in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.
Time will tell if the call to court Cleary will hit the mark, but one thing's for sure - the competition is heating up in the world of Aussie sports.