Nathan Cleary was injured during Penrith Panthers' NRL play-off defeat by Newcastle Knights on Sunday
ByMike WhalleyBBC Sport senior journalist
Published28 September 2026
Updated 8 hours ago
Nathan Cleary has responded to the horrific ankle injury that has ruled him out of the Rugby League World Cup by declaring "I'll be back."
The Australia great, 28, will miss the tournament in his home country after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation to his left ankle while playing for Penrith Panthers in their NRL play-off defeat by Newcastle Knights on Sunday.
Half-back Cleary - who helped Australia win the World Cup in Manchester four years ago - needed emergency surgery in hospital after being injured in a tackle by Phoenix Crossland.
Knights hooker Crossland was sent off for a 'hip-drop' tackle - which the NRL outlawed in 2020.
A hip-drop tackle is committed when a defender grabs the runner with both hands or wraps them with both arms, and then swivels or drops the hips or lower body, landing on and trapping the opponent's leg below the knees.
"Surgery done... Thank you so much to everyone that has reached out, the support has been unbelievable," Cleary posted on Instagram.
"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."
Cleary had started Sunday's match on the bench because he was already carrying an injury to his right foot, which had a broken bone.
His father Ivan, the Panthers' head coach, said afterwards that his son would have surgery on both feet.
"I think that's why I was even more emotional on what happened to him, how hard he worked and what he put himself through to get himself to play today," the coach said.
It means he will be suspended for Sunday's NRL Grand Final, in which Newcastle face Sydney Roosters, and is likely to miss New Zealand's three group matches at the World Cup.
Australia will face New Zealand in the opening match of the World Cup in Sydney on 15 October (10:05 BST). The two teams are also favourites to face each other in the final, in Brisbane on 15 November (08:35 GMT).
