The NRL are considering a stunning move to ensure Mark Nawaqanitawase represents the Kangaroos at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
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Nawaqanitwase is set to switch back to rugby union at the end of this season, with his deal with the Roosters ending on October 31.
The 25-year-old has signed a $3 million deal with Japanese rugby club Saitama Wild Knights, with that season not beginning until December however there’s a Wallabies spring tour which begins in early November.
Rugby Australia would love to see Nawaqanitawase on that tour but he doesn’t have a contract with RA.
It means that Nawaqanitawase could stay in rugby league after the end of the 2026 NRL season for a few more weeks and play in this year’s World Cup from October 15 to November 15 and bypass the Wallabies spring tour.
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For that to occur though, Nawaqanitawase would have to sign a special two-week extension with the NRL, which the league are considering tabling according to Code Sports.
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters is making no secret of his desire to have Nawaqanitawase in his World Cup squad.
“Mark is a big game player and wants to be in the big game. If he was available, we’d obviously pick him. 100 per cent,” Walters told Code Sports.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of seasons in the NRL for Nawaqanitawase.
After making the leap to join the Roosters, Nawaqanitawase has become one of the game’s elite wingers representing the Kangaroos, the Blues and leading the NRL in tries in his rookie year.