![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2d922f9db104f94945a20c8edd8ef4bff05ae29e.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cSo they should desperately try and figure out a way to have Marky back. They should have him. If he\u2019s playing in the Top 14, I\u2019ve got no issue with that: \u2018Come back and be in a Wallaby jersey\u2019. No problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Roosters are desperate to extend his contract at the NRL club, but Nawaqanitawase has stressed several times he is in no rush to make a decision and will consider his options at the end of the year. Informed sources say there are no active talks between Rugby Australia and Nawaqanitawase\u2019s camp.<\/p>\n
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Mark Nawaqanitawase scores a try against France in 2023.Credit: Getty<\/p>\n
But with the Roosters reportedly set to offer Nawaqanitawase an increased salary of $700,000 a season, Rugby Australia\u2019s willingness \u2013 and capacity \u2013 to match that sort of money could be a sticking point; particularly given Suaalii\u2019s mountainous $1.6 million-a-year salary and with whizkid Jorgensen off-contract in 2026 and likely to command a sizeable upgrade to his current $500,000-a-year deal.<\/p>\n
An alternative option for Nawaqanitawase is to sign a lucrative contract in Japanese or French rugby for 2026-27, and still be eligible for Wallabies\u2019 selection from overseas.<\/p>\n
Whatever the path, Hooper believes Rugby Australia should mapping out a plan with Nawaqanitawase to have him in rugby and available for the 2027 tournament.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThrow a great strategy at him,\u201d Hooper said on Inside Line. \u201cThat\u2019s not just financial. We just talked about how we can\u2019t just splash cash, and I agree with that. So you can\u2019t just go and throw him Suaalii money. We don\u2019t have enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo can you be really creative like they\u2019re being at the moment with Will Skelton? Yeah, they certainly can. Can he be going to play for La Rochelle and earn a truckload?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then he\u2019s in a rugby union frame of mind, and ready to come back here and perform in a home World Cup? I think they absolutely should be really trying to piece that together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw it at the last World Cup. He was arguably one of the Wallabies\u2019 best players over in France. Had a really great season in the jersey there. And then we lose him not too long after. The things he\u2019s doing on the footy field, you can\u2019t train that into guys.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is sheer talent that would be great to be in a Wallaby jersey. So absolutely they should be considering how they get someone like that back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hooper, who was a teammate of Nawaqanitawase at the Waratahs and with the Wallabies, said he was \u201cthe closest thing to Israel Folau\u201d that he played with.<\/p>\n