Nathan Cleary's emphatic response to Mary Fowler rumours in telling call on NRL switch

Nathan Cleary has emphatically shut down reports he's considering a move to England to be closer to his girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler. Speculation has been swirling that Cleary could be considering a switch from the NRL to England's Super League to be closer to Fowler, who plays her football for English powerhouse Manchester City.

Cleary has already achieved just about everything in rugby league at the age of just 26, having helped Penrith claim their fourth straight premiership in the grand final win over Melbourne earlier this month. He's also won a World Cup with Australia and two Clive Churchill medals to cement his status as a superstar of the sport.

The Panthers ace has admitted in the past that making a career switch to play in England is something he could be open to and he was asked about it after being interviewed at halftime in the Super League final between Wigan Warriors and Hull Kingston Rovers. Cleary cut short his grand final celebrations and put off shoulder surgery to take a well-earned holiday to England, where he is catching up with Fowler.

And the glamour couple were on hand to see Wigan Warriors beat Hull 9-2 in the final, with Cleary wearing a Kingston Rovers jersey in support of his good mate and former Penrith teammate, Tyrone May. Sky Sports Rugby League presenter Jenna Brooks took the opportunity to ask Cleary about his playing future at halftime of the final, with the four-time premiership winner shutting down suggestions he's considering a move overseas.

Nathan Cleary addresses rumours about moving to England

"I have to ask, there's been these persistent rumours and they're just not going away that perhaps we might see you playing in Super League in the not too distant future given that Mary Fowler, you're beautiful girlfriend is playing over here for Manchester City. So when can we see you in Super League - maybe Hull KR?" Brooks asked.

However, Cleary emphatically put the speculation to bed after revealing he was not interested in leaving the NRL "anytime soon", in news that will come as a massive relief to Aussie footy fans. "Not any time soon, to be honest," Cleary said. "I've seen all the rumours. But get to come over here and see her [Mary] play, which is nice and have a break. But (I) won't be moving over here anytime soon."

Cleary said he was just happy to be having some down time after another gruelling but successful season and was thrilled to see the Super League final, even if May's Hull ultimately fell short. "It's great to be here, it's a great atmosphere and a pretty good first-half,' Cleary added.

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Matty Johns reveals 'fear' around Nathan Cleary move

The Penrith superstar is sure to be in the stands to support his girlfriend when Fowler's Manchester City face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in the Women's Super League. But his response to questions about his playing future will come as a huge relief to Penrith officials, after Matty Johns revealed his fears earlier in the week that Cleary could eventually be lost to rugby if he did make the move to England.

Matty said the Cleary situation reminds him of when his brother and league Immortal Andrew Johns was frequently linked to a rugby switch during the height of his career. "My only fear with Nathan is him going to England puts him pretty much in the spotlight or basically he's right in the backyard of these big French rugby clubs and European rugby clubs," he said on SEN's Morning Glory with Matty Johns last week. "And there would be a temptation there (to poach him). Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make a bid sooner rather than later, that's the only thing that would concern me."