Australian cross-code international winger Mark Nawaqanitawase will head to Japan to play rugby union for the Saitama Wild Knights later this year, the club said on Monday.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old has starred for the Sydney Roosters<\/a> in rugby league’s NRL after spending four years in rugby union with Super Rugby’s Waratahs.<\/p>\n Nawaqanitawase<\/a> has 11 rugby union caps for the Wallabies<\/a> and will move to Japan for the 2026-27 season ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia.<\/p>\n The winger, who has also represented his country in rugby league, said it was “a huge honour” to join six-time Japan champions Saitama<\/a>.<\/p>\n “They are a very strong team that has experienced a lot of success and it is a club which carries a rich history,” he said in a statement released by the club.<\/p>\n “I am looking forward to becoming part of the Wild Knights and I am looking forward to what we can build together in the future.”<\/p>\n Saitama did not disclose the length of Nawaqanitawase’s contract but reports in Australia said he had signed a lucrative two-year deal.<\/p>\n