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RA and Tahs not currently in contract talks with in-demand Wallaby – report
By Finn Morton
Wing Mark Nawaqanitawase was a shining light for the Wallabies during a tough year under former coach Eddie Jones, which is what makes a fresh report quite surprising amidst a link to the NRL.
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Nawaqanitawase, who is set to come off contract with the New South Wales Waratahs and Rugby Australia at the end of next year, reportedly met with the Sydney Roosters on Tuesday.
The 11-Test Wallaby met with Roosters coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis as Nawaqanitawase considers what would be a devastating code switch for Australian rugby.
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But that’s far from the full story. According to The Daily Telegraph, both the Waratahs and Rugby Australia aren’t currently in contract negotiations with Nawaqanitawase.
It’s been reported that neither Rugby Australia or the Waratahs are currently negotiating a contract with the Wallaby, despite Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh labelling Nawaqanitawase “a key to the future of rugby in Australia.”
Unbelievable.
“Neither Rugby Australia nor the Waratahs are in contract talks with Nawaqanitawase, who RA CEO Phil Waugh said was a key to the future of rugby in Australia. It bolsters the Roosters’ chances of snaring the 23-year-old from 2025 and beyond.” pic.twitter.com/djMX349oRq
— OBBY (@OBBY001) November 14, 2023
As the masthead mentioned, Rugby Australia’s apparent inaction to re-sign their in-demand star certainly supports “the Roosters’ chances of snaring the 23-year-old from 2025 and beyond.”
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It’s almost hard to believe that Nawaqanitawase only debuted for the Wallabies late last year. By the time the Rugby World Cup came around, the wing was among the superstars in Aussie gold.
Nawaqanitawase – should the rising star decide to stay in the 15-player game – would be considered a certainly to play Test rugby for years to come, including against the British and Irish Lions in 2025.
But Rugby Australia have a real fight on their hands, especially with the Australian Rugby League Commission reportedly considering salary cap exemptions for NRL clubs chasing rugby talent.
Earlier this year, Nawaqanitawase hinted at a potential move to rugby league in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, although the Wallaby made it clear that he’d “love to stay in rugby for “as long as I can.”
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“With certain circumstances, we had to agree on something. The one-year (contract extension) was the best thing at the time,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“Hopefully (I can) win a Super Rugby title with the Tahs and hopefully win a World Cup.
“In a perfect world, I’d like to stay (in rugby) but there’s always a but. There’s obviously other things out there that might interest me.”
C’mon RA and the Tahs, get your fingers out!
I'm not sure he's that good yet, seems to lack acceleration and not the busiest winger and not overly abrasive. Wallabies need express pace wingers or abrasive.
I'm thinking Drew Mitchell, Campo, Tuquiri. I'm not sure Nawaqanitawase would enjoy the monotonous life of a League player and would exit league after a year or two.
If he doesn't want to hang around for a home world cup then let him go. He’d be making a big mistake as he could really develop his game in rugby, enjoy the world cup, play lucratively offshore and at 31 go and play his third world cup in the USA.
League will chew him up and he at best would get belted in the state of origin and become just another league player.
When you see the global comradery of former rugby union players it's fantastic, leagues a tiny sport played in Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane with a tiny bit elsewhere.
It will never grow outside it's shrinking base.