Joss Cleal: Son of former Sydney Rooster Les Cleal links with Narrabri Blues

The 26-year-old son of rugby league icon Les Cleal had played the last few years in Wauchope and Port Macquarie.

Originally from Warialda, the Cleals have been a huge name in rugby league for many years.

Les and younger brother Noel terrorised sides in the bush before they headed to Sydney and stints with the Sydney City Roosters.

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While Noel stuck it out, Les returned to the bush and had an 11-gamee stint with Widnes.

Noel also played for Widnes but won a NRL premiership with Manly after following coach Bob Fulton to the Sea Eagles. He also won selection for NSW and Australia, and finished his career with Hull in England.

Their travels across the game are legendary and something Joss grew up with whilst also playing for a few different sides since growing up under Les at Warialda.

Joss said he played a few seasons at Wauchope and then joined the Port City Breakers.

"Really enjoyed my time over there (Wauchope and Port)," he said. "Just not enough pigs."

Like his father and uncle, he's grown up in the bush where chasing pigs has been part and parcel of their lives.

Les runs a pig business in Warialda. For this interview, he and Josh stood beside Joss's ute, complete with a dog box and pig dogs, at Collins Park after last Sunday's 36-18 win over Gunnedah.

Joss said he needed to return inland and that the Blues have given him a new home.

"Jake (Rumsby) has given me a chance," he said of the Blues' captain-coach.

"I got here on the Friday and then played on the Saturday," he said of his first game, a loss to Boggabri at Boggabri.

He was part of a rotation with Narrabri hooker Jacob Nichols.

It would appear that Joss, built a little smaller than his famous dad and uncle, will be a handy acquisition for the Blues, who tackle the Cowboys at Dungowan Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

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