The coach who gave Russell Packer his first grade debut for the New Zealand Warriors has urged the NRL to welcome the disgraced front rower back to the code when he completes a jail sentence for a drunken assault next year.
Ivan Cleary chose Packer to play against Canberra in 2008 and has confirmed a willingness to continue the 24-year-old's rehabilitation by bringing the former Kiwis prop to the Penrith Panthers - providing he is not deported after becoming eligible for parole on January 5.
Cleary has joined Packer's most recent coach Wayne Bennett - who signed Packer on a four-season deal at the Newcastle Knights - in expressing a desire to sign the father-of-two although the NRL has already refused to register one contract involving the tattooed enforcer.
Cleary cited the redemption stories of Warriors prop Suaia Matagi and Parramatta second rower Manu Ma'u, who both served time for assaults in New Zealand before restoring their reputations through professional sport.
Read more at Stuff.co.nzMore:
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Topic: Cleary keen to sign Russell Packer
