Mark Nawaqanitawase To Return To Rugby Union For 2027 World Cup Bid
Mark Nawaqanitawase To Return To Rugby Union For 2027 World Cup Bid
Mark Nawaqanitawase will leave the Roosters in 2026 to return to rugby union, chasing a Wallabies recall ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s breakout stint with the Sydney Roosters appears set to be a short one, with the winger reportedly preparing for a return to rugby union ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The 25-year-old, who previously represented the Wallabies, has informed the Roosters he will not extend his contract beyond the end of the 2026 NRL season. Sydney Morning Herald journalist Michael Chammas first reported the development, writing that Nawaqanitawase had told club officials of his plan to rejoin his original code.
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“He has indicated to the Roosters that he will finish up at the club after next season,” Chammas reported.
Nawaqanitawase is expected to head overseas to sign with a rugby union franchise rather than join an Australian Super Rugby Pacific side. Despite this, he remains eligible for Wallabies selection following Rugby Australia’s decision to abolish the long-standing “Giteau Law,” which previously limited Test selection to players competing domestically.
The news is seen as a major boost for Australian rugby, with coach Joe Schmidt’s side already showing encouraging signs this season. The Wallabies currently top The Rugby Championship standings after victories over Fiji, South Africa, and Argentina, as well as a memorable series win against the British and Irish Lions.
Nawaqanitawase’s athleticism and flair made him one of the most exciting young players in rugby before his switch to league following the 2024 Paris Olympics. His debut NRL campaign has only enhanced his reputation, with the winger finishing as the league’s leading try-scorer with 24. That tally included a hat-trick against the Dolphins and a four-try performance against the Melbourne Storm. He was subsequently named in the Rugby League Players Association’s 2025 Dream Team.
Those displays have also caught the attention of Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, who is expected to include Nawaqanitawase in his squad for the upcoming Ashes tour of England. He will likely compete with Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates for a starting berth.
Reaction within rugby league circles has been mixed. Former Roosters player Brian Fletcher told SEN Radio that while the move had long been speculated, it should not come as a shock. “It’s always been mooted that he wanted to go back to rugby, but he should thank the Roosters because how much do you think this previous season has added to his contract?” Fletcher said.
For the Wallabies, his return is well-timed. With the home World Cup less than two years away, Nawaqanitawase offers a proven finishing threat and a box-office appeal that could help reignite fan interest in the national team.
League’s loss, it seems, is shaping up to be rugby’s gain.
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