Wallabies and Roosters in Explosive Tug-of-War Over Nawaqanitawase Superstar Move!
The Sydney Roosters will ramp up talks with Mark Nawaqanitawase about a long-term contract next month after Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt claimed the door remained open for the winger to return to the 15-man game.
Nawaqanitawase has had NRL pundits gushing with praise since landing at the Roosters after his Olympic Games exploits with the Australian sevens team last year.
The 25-year-old has turned heads with several eye-catching plays in his first full season in the NRL and finished the regular campaign with 23 tries in 22 games.
Spoken of as an option for the Kangaroos’ Ashes tour to England this year, Nawaqanitawase will be free to speak to rival clubs – and codes – as soon as November 1 when he enters the final 12 months of his Roosters contract.
Nawaqanitawase confirmed to AAP earlier this week there was a definite lure of playing in the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and he had “a hard decision” to make in coming months.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was in no mood to talk in depth about the situation on Friday, with his concentration squarely focused on Saturday night’s elimination final against Cronulla.
“He’s got a year to run on his contract. There’s not much use having those conversations until the end of the season,” Robinson said.
“They won’t happen, no one’s having them because all that matters is tomorrow night.
“I really don’t care at the moment and I will in October because I want him to be here long-term.”
Schmidt concedes Robinson won’t let the winger go without a fight.
“I saw Mark in passing a couple of weeks ago and he certainly looked in good shape,” Schmidt said ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Sydney.
“I’ve seen him score a couple of very impressive tries. He loves getting in at the corner and quite acrobatically.
“A lot of that rests in Mark’s court as to what he does next.”
Schmidt said regardless of Nawaqanitawase’s next steps, the Wallabies, who have named Max Jorgensen and Corey Toole on the wings this weekend, are well stocked.
“There’s so much talent amongst some of those players, and his (Nawaqanitawase’s) athleticism in the air is not too different from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii,” Schmidt said.
“To have athletes like that, it’s always something that would add value.
“But at the same time, we’ve got guys who’ve stayed invested in rugby union, and Max Jorgensen has been outstanding.
“Corey Toole has come through, and his two Tests have been really impressive.
“Harry Potter, before he got injured, was playing really well, and Dylan Pietsch brings a real physical edge out wide.
“There are a few wingers that have been really good for us.”