In the same month, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt praised the dual-code player’s aerial ability and the value he could potentially bring to a team that went on to struggle badly under the high ball during the four Test defeats in Europe during the spring tour.
“I don’t think we discount anyone in terms of players who have either been in the gold jersey previously or have come through the school system and potentially would like to be back involved with rugby union,” Schmidt said.
“Just because there’s so much talent among some of those players, and his athleticism in the air is not too different from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. To have athletes like that, it’s always something that would add value.”
The Wallabies remain relatively well stocked for wingers – with Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole, Harry Potter and Andrew Kellaway all spending plenty of time in the gold jersey – but Nawaqanitawase’s unique talents as a finisher and in the air would be difficult to ignore for incoming coach Les Kiss.
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Nawaqanitawase will join a large Australian contingent in Japanese rugby, which includes veterans Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley and Marika Koroibete. Former Wallabies coach Michael Hooper has also been recently working as an assistant coach at Toyota Verblitz.
In October, Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio joined second division Japanese club Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi after sustaining a serious neck injury against Fiji.