{"id":798836,"date":"2026-07-14T02:51:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T02:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/798836\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T02:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T02:51:16","slug":"corey-parker-slams-nrl-move-for-rugby-bound-roosters-ace-to-play-for-kangaroos-in-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/798836\/","title":{"rendered":"Corey Parker slams NRL move for rugby-bound Roosters ace to play for Kangaroos in World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Corey Parker<\/a> and a number of NRL<\/a> greats have hit out at reports that rugby-bound Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase<\/a> could be offered a special deal to play for the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup later this year. The 25-year-old’s NRL contract is set to expire on October 31, after which point he’s free to move back to rugby union.<\/p>\n

It’s understood Rugby Australia (RA) are keen for Nawaqanitawase to link up with the Wallabies for their European spring tour – which gets underway in November – having lured him back to the 15-a-side code. But News Corp <\/a>says the NRL is considering offering the Roosters superstar a special two-week training contract to extend his time in league, so he can feature for the Kangaroos in their home World Cup across October and November.<\/p>\n

\"Pictured<\/p>\n

Corey Parker has slammed reports the NRL are considering a special deal for Roosters ace Mark Nawaqanitawase so he can play for the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup. Pic: Getty<\/p>\n

Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has already made it clear he’d love to have Nawaqanitawase in his Aussie Test squad. And his involvement would be a huge boost for the Kangaroos both on and off the field, with Nawaqanitawase undoubtedly one of the game’s biggest box office attractions.<\/p>\n

But a number of league greats have questioned why the NRL would feel the need to offer special dispensation for the Roosters star. Kangaroos coach Walters has plenty of other talented wingers at his disposal to choose from, such as Origin stars Jack Bostock and Selwyn Cobbo from the Dolphins.<\/p>\n

Corey Parker slams ‘ridiculous’ move for Roosters star<\/p>\n

And Parker described it as “ridiculous” that the NRL would consider changing the rules to accommodate a player who is leaving for a rival code anyway. “I think that’s ridiculous to be offering a two week contract so somebody can go and play in the World Cup,” Parker said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters: Rugby League program on Monday night. “That team you’ve got there is going to go very well in the World Cup.”<\/p>\n

NRL 360 Braith host said: “I love him and he is box office, and I wish he was staying in our game. But we’re kind of changing rules too much these days. He’s not going to be contracted… and we have so many great wingers in our game… we don’t need him.”<\/p>\n

\"On<\/p>\n

The NRL has been urged to reconsider offering Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase (L) a special deal so he can feature in the Kangaroos’ World Cup campaign. Pic: Getty<\/p>\n

Tigers legend Steve Roach agrees and he’s urged the NRL to reconsider its stance on Nawaqanitawase. He says allowing the rugby-bound star to feature for the Blues in their victorious Origin campaign was different because league bosses didn’t have to change any rules for that to happen.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think it’s fair to all the other players that are sticking in the NRL,” Roach told Fox League. “He played Origin, yeah. But it’s not a special dispensation is it? You’re going to try and play him for a few games at the World Cup\u2026 well I think we should block it.”<\/p>\n

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