Mark Nawaqanitawase’s blockbuster move from the NRL back to rugby union may not mean he returns to the Wallabies, with a stunning swap of allegiance being considered.
Code Sports reports the Roosters’ Grand Final hero has told Rugby Australia he will not travel with the squad to the UK for their Nations Championship tour.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
He will instead consider joining Fiji, who he’s eligible for through his biological father, while he’s also eligible for Italy.
“Mark will not be available for international rugby this year,” his manager Milan Volavola-Shankar told the outlet.
“He informed (Wallabies coach) Les Kiss of his decision in July, and Rugby Australia has also been notified.
“Mark’s immediate focus is on his next chapter in Japan, where he will join the Panasonic Wild Knights and concentrate on settling into the club environment and preparing for the season ahead.
“As of August next year, Mark will have completed his three-year international stand-down period. With his heritage making him eligible to represent both Italy and Fiji, he remains open to all options regarding his international future.
“At this stage, Mark’s priority is establishing himself in Japan and continuing to develop his rugby, with any future international decisions to be considered at the appropriate time.”
Nawaqanitawase’s agent is the brother of Fiji playmaker Ben Volavola.
His agent’s comments are in direct contradiction to the Wallabies coach’s claim in a press conference last week that he hasn’t spoken with the winger.
“I haven’t heard back from him yet, but we’ll see,” Kiss said.
“I’ll just let it settle for this week and then have some conversations and see where it goes. I won’t know (if he will tour) until I chat to him. I had one chat to him in the early part of the season then said I’d leave him alone.
“I did text him during State of Origin and said ‘don’t play well against Queensland.’ I’ve kept a clear mind on that part, but he’s obviously flavour of the month, for sure.”
Nawaqanitawase hasn’t played for Australia since the Olympic Sevens bronze medal match on July 30, 2024 and thanks to his NRL stint is close to meeting the mandatory 36-month stand-down period.
He would become eligible to play for Fiji or Italy two months before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which is being hosted by Australia.
In the interim period he’ll play for Japan’s Panasonic Saitama Wild Knights, with whom he has signed a two-year, $3 million contract.
Marky flies over for the Roosters! | 00:32
Nawaqanitawase’s potential return to the Wallabies was welcomed by fellow ex-Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
“The more internal competition we have, the better our team’s going to be,” he said after Wallabies training in Sydney on Tuesday.
“For Marky and Gussie to come across, and Gussie coming to the Waratahs, he’ll be a great addition for us.
“Then also Marky’s skill set, you’ve seen what he’s done over in NRL. He was great. Not many people have done what he’s done in the game for two years.
“Watching him from afar, he did things that not many people can do. For him to come and bring that over here, it will be great for us.”
Leave a Reply