Wigan Warriors Chief Executive Kris Radlinski gives verdict on potential signing of Nathan Cleary

[josie andrews]

WIGAN WARRIORS chief executive Kris Radlinski has given his own verdict on the potential signing of Penrith Panthers wonder Nathan Cleary.

Cleary was a special guest at Saturday’s Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR, with his partner, Mary Fowler currently plying her trade with Manchester City.

The Penrith halfback – who has just won his fourth Grand Final in a row with the Panthers – was sporting a KR shirt which certainly got tongues wagging after speculation had linked Cleary with a move to the northern hemisphere.

However, the 26-year-old put paid to those rumours when approached by Sky Sports reporter Jenna Brooks live at half-time of the Grand Final on Saturday.

“Not anytime soon to be honest,” Cleary responded to Sky Sports reporter Jenna Brooks’ question about potentially moving to Super League.

“I’ve seen all the rumours but I get to come over here and see her play which is nice and just have a break but, I won’t be moving over here anytime soon.”

That being said, Wigan CEO Radlinski has given his own verdict, insisting that “everybody” would try and sign Cleary if he did indeed fancy moving halfway across the world.

Obviously, he’s the best player in the world. What he’s done for many years is outstanding,” Radlinski said live on Sky Sports News.

“I think to have him there at Old Trafford on Saturday night was fantastic and I’m sure that he saw the occasion and part of him fancied that.

“I think if Nathan’s name comes on the market then everybody would be trying to sign him. I’m pretty comfortable with the squad that we’ve got at the moment but he’d certainly be great for Super League.”

That being said, the financial package that would have to come with it would make a number of clubs shy away, with Cleary’s current salary sitting at $1.2 million – almost £620,000 per year.

https://www.totalrl.com/wigan-warriors- ... an-cleary/

[josie andrews]

"I don’t think he’d get into our team" Wigan Warriors Kris Radlinski makes headline verdict on Nathan Cleary

WIGAN WARRIORS chief executive Kris Radlinski has claimed that Penrith Panthers hero Nathan Cleary would not get in the current Wigan team.

Cleary, who was present at Saturday’s Super League Grand Final between Wigan and Hull KR – which the Warriors won 9-2 – has been the subject of speculation in recent months that he could be heading for the northern hemisphere.

Of course, those rumours have been dismissed by both Cleary and the Panthers’ hierarchy, but, being present at the showpiece event at the weekend certainly got tongues wagging

That being said, and despite winning four NRL Grand Finals in a row, Radlinski has made the bold claim that Cleary would not get into the Wigan side.

“Do you know what, we’d probably be the only club in the world that says he might not get into our team,” Radlinski said on SEN Radio’s ‘The Run Home with Joel & Fletch’ show.

“I mean that really respectfully because I love him as a player and I love him as a person.

“At the minute, we’ve got Bevan at number six and a guy at seven called Harry Smith who had an outstanding Grand Final, he really did.

We’ve got him long-term and I believe that he is the future number seven there.

“I absolutely love him (Nathan Cleary) and I love his relationship with his father (Penrith boss Ivan Cleary) but I just don’t think he’d get into our team and that’s probably a headline right there.”

That’s quite the headline statement to make from Radlinski!

https://www.totalrl.com/i-dont-think-he ... an-cleary/

[Innocent Bystander]

I don’t think Radlinski has done himself or the club any favours with these comments. Coming straight after Penrith showing disinterest in playing a World Club Challenge match his words sounded petulant and silly, like a slighted man lashing out. Not great from a man in his position. Needless to say the comments are all over NRL media and social media and it’s not reflecting well on either Radkinski or Wigan. Cleary is the finest half back in a far superior competition. No disrespect to either Smith or French, both fine players, but Cleary is on a different level.

[ddtftf]

I don't think Rads meant it that way. He was reassuring our two halfbacks that the club is 100% satisfied with our setup. It was not a coincidence that when Harry Smith came back our attack improved & control of the field position with his kicking game.

[josie andrews]

I don't think Rads meant it that way. He was reassuring our two halfbacks that the club is 100% satisfied with our setup. It was not a coincidence that when Harry Smith came back our attack improved & control of the field position with his kicking game.

I agree Derrick , it wasn’t said maliciously or disrespectfully to Cleary.

[Wigan_forever1985]

I don’t think Radlinski has done himself or the club any favours with these comments. Coming straight after Penrith showing disinterest in playing a World Club Challenge match his words sounded petulant and silly, like a slighted man lashing out. Not great from a man in his position. Needless to say the comments are all over NRL media and social media and it’s not reflecting well on either Radkinski or Wigan. Cleary is the finest half back in a far superior competition. No disrespect to either Smith or French, both fine players, but Cleary is on a different level.

I wonder if this is Radlinski trying to goad Penrith into backtracking on the WCC a little

either way im not sure what he said should be that controversial - Wigan won every trophy including one against Clearys team with the half backs we have. I think he's basically saying if you win 100% of everything you can then really you dont need to alter it regardless of the player on offer

[the pieman]

I don’t think Radlinski has done himself or the club any favours with these comments. Coming straight after Penrith showing disinterest in playing a World Club Challenge match his words sounded petulant and silly, like a slighted man lashing out. Not great from a man in his position. Needless to say the comments are all over NRL media and social media and it’s not reflecting well on either Radkinski or Wigan. Cleary is the finest half back in a far superior competition. No disrespect to either Smith or French, both fine players, but Cleary is on a different level.

I wonder if this is Radlinski trying to goad Penrith into backtracking on the WCC a little

either way im not sure what he said should be that controversial - Wigan won every trophy including one against Clearys team with the half backs we have. I think he's basically saying if you win 100% of everything you can then really you dont need to alter it regardless of the player on offer

Its got some of the Ozzie press crying, so job done

The Ozzies will literally moan about anything, so give them a bit of bait and they've taken it

[Firestarter]

I don’t think Radlinski has done himself or the club any favours with these comments. Coming straight after Penrith showing disinterest in playing a World Club Challenge match his words sounded petulant and silly, like a slighted man lashing out. Not great from a man in his position. Needless to say the comments are all over NRL media and social media and it’s not reflecting well on either Radkinski or Wigan. Cleary is the finest half back in a far superior competition. No disrespect to either Smith or French, both fine players, but Cleary is on a different level.

I wonder if this is Radlinski trying to goad Penrith into backtracking on the WCC a little

either way im not sure what he said should be that controversial - Wigan won every trophy including one against Clearys team with the half backs we have. I think he's basically saying if you win 100% of everything you can then really you dont need to alter it regardless of the player on offer

Its got some of the Ozzie press crying, so job done

The Ozzies will literally moan about anything, so give them a bit of bait and they've taken it

Next he will be telling them that blackpool beach is nicer than bondai

[josie andrews]

I don’t think Radlinski has done himself or the club any favours with these comments. Coming straight after Penrith showing disinterest in playing a World Club Challenge match his words sounded petulant and silly, like a slighted man lashing out. Not great from a man in his position. Needless to say the comments are all over NRL media and social media and it’s not reflecting well on either Radkinski or Wigan. Cleary is the finest half back in a far superior competition. No disrespect to either Smith or French, both fine players, but Cleary is on a different level.

I wonder if this is Radlinski trying to goad Penrith into backtracking on the WCC a little

either way im not sure what he said should be that controversial - Wigan won every trophy including one against Clearys team with the half backs we have. I think he's basically saying if you win 100% of everything you can then really you dont need to alter it regardless of the player on offer

Its got some of the Ozzie press crying, so job done

The Ozzies will literally moan about anything, so give them a bit of bait and they've taken it

There’s some good responses I’ve added to on a Aussie fan site the Roar. They really do think they are the be all & end all of RL. Yet they come for our players & coaches.

To me they are a bit like America, rich but not much history They will never achieve what Wigan have as an individual team & they can’t accept that we are the greatest club in the world

[Charriots Offiah]

I don't think Rads meant it that way. He was reassuring our two halfbacks that the club is 100% satisfied with our setup. It was not a coincidence that when Harry Smith came back our attack improved & control of the field position with his kicking game.

I agree Derrick , it wasn’t said maliciously or disrespectfully to Cleary.

It was said tongue in cheek.