Wallaby to Roo? Nawaqanitawase firms for 34-year first
George Clarke |
Mark Nawaqanitawase is humbly downplaying his chances of becoming a dual-code international in 2025 despite increasing speculation that the former Wallaby could finish a stellar year with a Kangaroos jersey.
Fresh off scoring four tries against the Melbourne Storm last week, the Sydney Roosters winger heads into Friday’s final-round clash atop the NRL’s try scoring charts with 20 in 21 games.
Nawaqanitawase admits he has been taken aback at how quickly he has adapted to rugby league.
And while he won’t be eligible for the NRL’s Dally M Rookie of the Year award because of his Test appearances in rugby union, the cross-code convert says he has only scratched the surface of his ability.
“I made a decision to come to league and I backed myself with it,” Nawaqanitawase said on Monday.
“I didn’t think I’d do poorly, I thought I could do something – I feel like I’ve exceeded what I could do but I could only do that with the guys inside me.
“I’ve still got a lot more, I’m still learning, it’s only my 22nd game or something like that.”
But Nawaqanitawase’s freakish exploits for the Roosters, which have been punctuated by several highlight reel moments, have made him a strong contender for this year’s three-match series against England.
Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates appear the front-runners for the Kangaroos’ wing spots.
But with so many Australia-eligible players opting to represent Pacific nations, Nawaqanitawase’s case has only been strengthened.
If he were to win a spot in coach Kevin Walters’ squad, he could become the first Australian to win caps in union and then league since Scott Gourley played a Test for the Kangaroos against Papua New Guinea in 1991.
“It’s pretty cool (to be talked up) but it’s still a bit away until that happens” Nawaqanitawase said.
“I haven’t thought about it yet and there’s been things going around… but at the start of the year I didn’t even have a starting spot.”
Nawaqanitawase’s future is set to be a big talking point heading into the NRL off-season.
The 24-year-old is off contract at the end of 2026 and is set to be a man in demand with the lure of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 that could prove incredibly tempting for the 11-cap Wallaby to return to the 15-man game.
But the Roosters will be desperate to hold on to their man after losing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to Rugby Australia last year.
“I’ve still got a bit of time to make a decision, I’m enjoying my footy at the moment,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“Those things can be distracting sometimes, so I’m trying to park that, just trying to get through to the end of the year.”
AAP
