Mark Nawaqanitawase may not have even left rugby league yet but the Sydney Roosters winger is already planning ahead to 2028 and a possible NRL return, once he’s represented Australia in the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
The superstar back, who is playing for New South Wales this Wednesday in the season’s State of Origin decider, has agreed to join the Saitama Wild Knights at the end of the year. That move makes him eligible to turn out for Australia at the 2027 World Cup – and he’s a shoo-in to get picked.
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He’s not planning to stick around, though: Once that’s all wrapped up, it sounds like he’ll be back in tricolours gear again quite quickly.
Chooks supremo Nick Politis told the Morning Herald the club “wants Mark back.” Nawaqanitawase then confirmed talks have taken place recently, though he stayed on the fence about the possibility.
“I love him, he’s a good man,” the cross-code rugby superstar told media from the Blues camp on Monday. “It’s the same as what I told him, it’s too far away to tell right now but always grateful to him and the Roosters for their love and support, continued love and support.
“We’ll see what happens, it’s a long time away,” he added.
What may tip the scale is Origin, which Mark had his first taste of this year. He is clearly made for the stage, and has pointed out beyond the Rugby World Cup, there’s little else like Origin in the rugby world.
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“Yeah, definitely,” Nawaqanitawase said of Origin possibly bringing him back to the NRL. “It always has been [a great concept], it has been part of my life for a while and to be here and feel it, it’s very enticing. ”
Origin III is this Wednesday. The Rugby World Cup starts in October 2027.
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