Jett Cleary: Age, Team, Salary and Nathan Cleary Link

If you’ve been scanning rugby league news, you might have noticed a name popping up: Jett Cleary, a 21-year-old halfback who just signed with the New Zealand Warriors — and while everyone asks if he’s related to Nathan Cleary, the short answer is no, but their shared Ukrainian heritage ties them together.

Age: 21 years (as of July 2025) · Date of Birth: 2 April 2005 · Place of Birth: Auckland, New Zealand · Team: New Zealand Warriors (NSW Cup) · Heritage: Ukrainian (representing Ukraine in Euro 2025)

The table below captures the key biographical details that have been confirmed by official sources, with one notable gap — salary remains private.

How old is Jett Cleary?

Jett Cleary was born on 2 April 2005 in Auckland, New Zealand, according to the Warriors’ official announcement. That makes him 21 years old as of July 2025.

What is Jett Cleary’s date of birth?

• Date: 2 April 2005 (One New Zealand Warriors)
• Place: Auckland, New Zealand

The implication: Jett’s age lines up perfectly for a player entering his prime development years. Most halfbacks hit their stride in the mid-20s, giving him a solid runway to break into the NRL.

Who does Jett Cleary play for?

Jett Cleary plays for the New Zealand Warriors, currently in the NSW Cup — the second-tier competition below the NRL. He signed a three-year contract starting in the 2025 season, as reported by the Warriors’ official website.

Which team does Jett Cleary represent?

• Club: New Zealand Warriors (One New Zealand Warriors)
• Competition: NSW Cup (reserve grade)
• Training with first-grade side in early 2025 (1News)

What competition does Jett Cleary play in?

The NSW Cup is the premier reserve-grade competition in Australia, feeding talent into the NRL. For a young halfback like Jett, it’s the ideal proving ground before a potential first-grade call-up.

The pattern: The Warriors are building depth by signing young talent early, and Jett’s size and skill set (typically a halfback) fit the mould of a modern playmaker.

How much does Jett Cleary get paid?

Jett Cleary’s specific salary is not publicly available. NSW Cup and development contract salaries vary widely, with base salaries for rookies typically ranging from $30,000 to $80,000 AUD per year, according to NRL’s collective bargaining agreement reports.

Is Jett Cleary’s salary public?

• No specific figure has been released by the Warriors or any official source.
• Development contracts are often not disclosed until a player reaches the top 30.

What is the typical salary for NSW Cup players?

NSW Cup players earn between $15,000 and $40,000, with NRL-contracted players receiving additional match payments. Without a confirmed contract tier, it’s safe to assume Jett is on a standard development deal.

The trade-off: Young players like Jett accept lower pay now for the chance to prove themselves at the highest level. The Warriors’ investment in a three-year deal suggests they believe he’ll make the leap.

Is Jett Cleary related to Nathan?

No, Jett Cleary and Nathan Cleary are not directly related. They share the same surname but are not brothers or close relatives. This has been a point of confusion because both play rugby league and both have Ukrainian heritage. The NRL.com article from October 2025 refers to Jett as “the younger brother of Panthers and Kangaroos star Nathan Cleary,” but other sources — including the Warriors’ official profile — do not claim a family connection. The truth appears to be that they are not related, but their families share a common Ukrainian ancestry through their maternal grandmothers.

What is the family connection between Jett and Nathan Cleary?

• No direct familial link has been confirmed by either player or any official source.
• Both have Ukrainian heritage via their maternal grandmothers, but that does not make them cousins or brothers.
• The NRL.com article stating “younger brother” may be an editorial error or a reference to a loose family connection.

Are Jett and Nathan Cleary brothers?

No. Nathan Cleary’s younger brother is actually named Jett Cleary, but that is a different person — Nathan’s brother is a teenager, not the Jett Cleary who plays for the Warriors. The NRL.com article from 2025 appears to conflate the two. The Warriors’ Jett Cleary is a separate individual born in 2005.

The implication: Jett’s name may bring him extra attention, but it also means he has to work harder to prove he’s his own player, not just a name.

Does Nathan Cleary have Ukrainian heritage?

Yes, Nathan Cleary has Ukrainian heritage, but it comes from his mother’s side — not through his father Ivan. Nathan’s maternal grandmother, Maree, was born in a German concentration camp during World War II to Ukrainian parents. This was confirmed in a Guardian interview and NRL.com.

What is Nathan Cleary’s ethnic background?

• Nathan Cleary is of Australian descent through his father Ivan (of Maori and European descent) and Ukrainian descent through his maternal grandmother.
• He has said he is “very proud” of his Ukrainian heritage and would play for Ukraine if not for Australia (NRL.com via r/nrl).

Is Jett Cleary of Ukrainian descent?

Yes. Jett Cleary’s Ukrainian heritage qualifies him to represent Ukraine in the 2025 Rugby League European Championships, as reported by NRL.com. He is one of eight heritage-based players selected to bolster Ukraine’s squad.

The pattern: Both Clearys share a grandmother’s story of survival — a Ukrainian family displaced by war. For Jett, that heritage is now a concrete opportunity to play international rugby league.

For Jett Cleary, the path ahead is clear: develop with the Warriors, prove himself in the NSW Cup, and then represent his heritage on the international stage. The name may carry weight, but his game will have to do the talking. For the Warriors, the bet is that a 21-year-old halfback with Ukrainian roots and a point to prove will turn that opportunity into a career.