Nathan Cleary vows to return after ankle injury rules him out of Rugby League World Cup

Nathan Cleary has told supporters ‘I’ll be back’ after surgery for a compound fracture of his left ankle ruled him out of Australia’s Rugby League World Cup campaign. The Penrith Panthers halfback’s absence leaves the national selectors to settle their squad before the tournament opens against New Zealand on 15 October.

‘Surgery done... Thank you so much to everyone that has reached out, the support has been unbelievable,’ Cleary wrote in an Instagram post reported by BBC Sport and ABC News on Monday. ‘Yesterday sucked but it’s all part of the journey and it’s made me even more grateful for the people I have around me. I’ll be back.’ The reports gave no timetable for his recovery or return to play.

Injured during Penrith’s final

Cleary, 28, suffered the fracture and a dislocation in Penrith’s preliminary-final defeat by Newcastle on Sunday. Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent off after the tackle, which the NRL identified as a hip-drop tackle. Penrith lost 22–14 despite leading 14–6 at half-time, ending its season before the grand final.

The halfback had started the match on the bench because he was already carrying a broken bone in his right foot. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, Nathan’s father, said after the match that his son would need surgery on that foot too. Nathan had entered the game about 25 minutes into the first half and was injured roughly 10 minutes later, according to ABC’s account.

Panthers captain Isaah Yeo described the effect of seeing his teammate hurt. ‘He’s one of my best mates,’ Yeo told ABC News after the game. ‘He’s your brother out there. You don’t like seeing anyone like that. You just want to be there for him.’ His reaction came amid a wider injury toll for Penrith in the defeat.

Australia’s selection decisions

Australia are the reigning men’s world champions and are due to begin their title defence against New Zealand in Sydney on 15 October. The tournament runs until 15 November, when the final is scheduled for Brisbane. Cleary’s absence is therefore confirmed before the selectors name their 23-player squad; the identity of his replacement has not been settled.

According to the NRL’s selection report, Australia’s selectors expect to announce that squad on the Monday after the NRL grand final. Coach Kevin Walters said Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker was in contention following Cleary’s injury. Walker, Mitchell Moses and Tom Dearden were competing for a place in the halves alongside Cameron Munster. Walters said Walker had put himself ‘right back in the frame, particularly with the injury to Nathan.’ None of those possibilities amounts to a confirmed selection.

Penrith’s injuries may also affect other places in the Australian squad. The NRL reported that Yeo and Dylan Edwards were in doubt for the World Cup. Ivan Cleary said Edwards had injured his posterior cruciate ligament and Yeo had played with a ruptured pectoral muscle. The reports did not establish whether either player would be fit for the tournament, so the selectors face questions beyond the halfback position.

Judiciary hearing still ahead

Crossland’s tackle has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary. ABC News reported that he was due to face the panel on Tuesday, ahead of Newcastle’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters. The reports available on Monday did not give a ruling or establish whether any suspension would affect Crossland’s availability for New Zealand at the World Cup.

Former Queensland coach Billy Slater offered his view of the incident on his podcast, arguing that interpretations of tackling rules may have contributed to Crossland’s position as he attempted the tackle. ABC News reported those comments as Slater’s assessment. The judiciary hearing will determine Crossland’s disciplinary outcome; Australia’s squad announcement will establish who is selected after Cleary’s withdrawal.