Just days out from Australia’s first Ashes Test against England, NRL champion Nathan Cleary still finds it hard to deflect the attention away from his relationship with superstar girlfriend Mary Fowler.

The Panthers’ co-captain says it is a little “annoying” that he is forced to address his personal life in the media, but now seemingly accepts that’s the price to pay when having a romance with another high-profile sports star (especially one with an international profile).

Cleary says he is getting used to the fact — especially in England — that he is now “Mary Fowler’s boyfriend”.

“Someone said that to me today as well,” Cleary said.

“They said, ‘Oh, nice to meet you, but I just want to let you know I love your girlfriend more’. And I was like, ‘Yeah, same.’”

While he can laugh

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