Rival State of Origin coaches Laurie Daley and Mal Meninga and Brisbane Broncos boss Wayne Bennett have also been listed as possibilities for the job. Meninga has actively campaigned for the role of which the key challenge is beating Kearney's Kiwis after they supplanted the Kangaroos as the best international test team in the code.
"Everyone likes to further their credentials," Cleary told The Australian newspaper of his PNG sojourn. "This is different to what you do every day as a club coach. I get to meet new players and get to know them. Then there's the challenge of pulling a side together with not very much time."
Asked about representative coaching ambitions, he said: "I'm not reading too much into it. But I'm just taking the opportunity."
Sacked former Manly coach Geoff Toovey is another contender but there is no rush to make an appointment given Australia doesn't play again until next year's Anzac Test.
Meanwhile, Cleary's son, outstanding halfback Nathan, is set to also leave Penrith. The star of two recent Australian Schoolboys victories over New Zealand, Clearly junior has a get-out clause in his contract if his father was to be released by the Panthers.
Penrith club supremo Phil Gould acknowledged rival clubs are watching the situation with interest. "Just signed a new contract .. He does have a clause saying he can leave to play with his father's new club," Gould posted in a tweet.
- nzherald.co.nz
