Australia’s winger, Mark Nawaqanitawase, is set to make a significant transition from rugby union to rugby league with a two-year deal signed with the Sydney Roosters, commencing in 2025. This bold move marks Nawaqanitawase as the first active Wallabies player to switch to rugby league since Mat Rogers made his return to the National Rugby League (NRL) with the Gold Coast Titans back in 2007.
The news has sent ripples through the world of Australian rugby, with Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, expressing disappointment at losing a strong player who has been a consistent performer over the past year. However, Waugh noted that the Wallabies boast considerable depth in the outside backs position, making this transition, though disappointing, somewhat manageable from a team perspective.
Mark Nawaqanitawase, a winger for the NSW Waratahs and with 11 Test caps for Australia under his belt, was part of the Wallabies squad that faced a challenging Rugby World Cup in the most recent edition. The team failed to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history, which might have played a role in Nawaqanitawase’s decision to explore new opportunities.
At the age of 23, Nawaqanitawase believes that now is the right time to remain in Australia and embark on a fresh adventure with the Roosters program for 2025 and 2026. His agent, Andrew Fairbairn, shared this perspective and also expressed the hope that a door would remain open for Mark to potentially return to the Wallabies in the future, indicating that this move isn’t necessarily the end of his international rugby career.
Interestingly, this news also coincides with Roosters full-back Joseph Suaalii’s decision to make the opposite transition. After the 2024 NRL season, Suaalii will be crossing over to rugby union, making for a fascinating exchange of talents between the two codes.
The sports world will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on both Nawaqanitawase’s transition to the NRL and Suaalii’s venture into rugby union, as these moves have the potential to shake up the landscape of both sports in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby Transition
What prompted Mark Nawaqanitawase’s switch from rugby union to rugby league?
Mark Nawaqanitawase decided to transition to rugby league and join the Sydney Roosters in 2025, citing the desire for a new experience after his recent challenges with the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup.
Has any other Wallabies player made a similar move to rugby league recently?
No, Mark Nawaqanitawase is the first active Wallabies player to make the switch to rugby league since Mat Rogers did so in 2007 when he returned to the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans.
What was Rugby Australia’s reaction to Mark Nawaqanitawase’s departure?
Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, expressed disappointment but acknowledged that the outside backs position had considerable depth. He also mentioned that Mark had been a strong player over the past year.
Is there a chance for Mark Nawaqanitawase to return to the Wallabies in the future?
Yes, Mark Nawaqanitawase’s agent, Andrew Fairbairn, has expressed hope that a door will remain open for him to return to the Wallabies at some point in the future.
Are there any other notable player transitions mentioned in the text?
Yes, the text mentions that Roosters full-back Joseph Suaalii will be moving in the opposite direction, transitioning to rugby union after the 2024 NRL season, which adds another layer of intrigue to the story.
More about Rugby Transition
- Sydney Roosters Official Website
- Rugby Australia
- National Rugby League (NRL) Official Website
- Mark Nawaqanitawase – Wikipedia
- Mat Rogers – Wikipedia
- Rugby World Cup
3 comments
nawaqanitawase’s agent, hope he back 2 wallabies soon!
I remember mat rogers, classic move!
rugby world cup wuz tough dis year, huh?