Former Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan is urging the Wallabies to make a multimillion-dollar play for Panthers star Nathan Cleary to save the sport in Australia.

Almost a year after his dramatic exit from RA, the controversial administrator defended his decision to throw a small fortune at Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii as the former Roosters star settles into life as a Wallaby in preparation for the Spring Tour.

McLenann thinks RA should roll the dice on Cleary as the biggest star in the NRL in a bid to ensure the Wallabies remain relevant with the World Cup just three years away.

“I’d be having a crack at the likes of Nathan Cleary and a few others,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“The game needs another five Josephs as the World Cup for ’27 [to be played in Australia] is just around the corner and the clock is ticking … Thank god for Joseph, because that’s all everyone is talking about. Australia is No.10 in the world [rankings] and needs an injection of talent or there will be nothing left to sell.”

Cleary is under contract with the four-time NRL premiers until the end of 2027 and Panthers powerbrokers have recently indicated they are keen to extend his deal even further to ensure he plays his entire career at the club.

His father Ivan is also on a deal for the same timeframe to coach the Panthers and CEO Brian Fletcher is eager to lock him down longer as well.

Cleary was quizzed about potentially leaving Penrith early at the Super League grand final last weekend amid speculation that he may move to England to be closer to his partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler.

“Not anytime soon, to be honest. I see all the rumours,” Cleary said.

“I get to come over here and see her (Fowler) play which is nice and to have a break, but I won’t be moving over here anytime soon.”

Fresh off his NRL season with the Sydney Roosters, Suaalii  has been going through his paces at a “training hub” in Canberra this week under the guidance of Test coach Joe Schmidt.

RA will next week announce two squads to send overseas in November, with the Wallabies facing England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland while an Australian XV will play English club Bristol Bears and England A.

“Joseph has already driven massive interest in rugby union and paid for himself over and over again,” McLennan told the SMH.

“He’s a global rugby superstar before he has even pulled on a Wallaby jumper, and he’ll be a wonderful role model for aspiring young players.

“Anyone who thinks that Joseph is the only player who has earned over a million dollars a year in Australia or overseas is kidding themselves

“Yes, he is earning more, but the additional amount he is getting above the other players is worth it … he is worth every cent.”

There are several other NRL stars who have been linked with a switch to rugby but representative forward Angus Crichton turned his back on an offer to return to the 15-player code a few months ago to ink a two-year extension with the Roosters.

Manly young gun Tolu Koula, Souths skipper Cameron Murray and Eels centre Will Penisini, played alongside Suaalii at The Kings School, have rugby pedigree and have also been mentioned as possible targets but are all under contract to their NRL clubs.