In a significant shift for Australian rugby, winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to become the first active Wallabies player in nearly two decades to transition to rugby league. The talented Australia international has inked a two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters, commencing in 2025, dealing a considerable blow to Australian rugby union and impacting the Wallabies’ lineup for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.
Expressing disappointment at Nawaqanitawase’s departure, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh acknowledged the player’s strength over the past year but highlighted the depth in the outside backs position for the Wallabies.
“While we are disappointed, the outside backs are a position of strength for us, with great depth coming through,” said Waugh in a statement on Thursday.
Australian rugby union has historically attracted rugby league converts, but the loss of players to the rival 13-man game has been relatively low. The last incumbent Wallaby to make the switch was dual-code international Mat Rogers, who joined the National Rugby League (NRL) with the Gold Coast Titans in 2007.
Nawaqanitawase’s move to the Sydney Roosters is seen as a direct exchange for Joseph Suaalii, the Roosters’ promising 20-year-old fullback, who is poised to transition to rugby union after the conclusion of the 2024 NRL season.
Despite a challenging season for the Wallabies, including a disappointing exit in the group stage of the World Cup in France, Nawaqanitawase stood out as one of the bright spots. Known for his explosive running and aerial skills under high balls, the 23-year-old winger has decided that now is the opportune time to explore a new experience within the Roosters program for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
“While we hope the door will be open for Mark to return to the Wallabies fold in the future, at 23, he feels it’s the best time to stay in Australia and have a new experience with the Roosters,” noted his agent in statements to Australian media.
Nawaqanitawase’s departure adds to a challenging year for Rugby Australia, marked by board upheaval, state member union revolts, and criticism for Eddie Jones’s coaching tenure with the Wallabies.
