Nawaqanitawase weighs Wallabies, Fiji or Italy for 2027 World Cup
Key takeaways
- Mark Nawaqanitawase can choose Australia, Fiji or Italy for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
- He has ruled himself out of Australia's Tests this year and will play in Japan.
- Wallabies coach Les Kiss says the winger has a lot to re-learn before a recall.
One of rugby's brightest stars has a big choice to make. Mark Nawaqanitawase can play for Australia, Fiji or Italy at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. All three nations have qualified for the event in Australia.
The 26-year-old winger has just finished a stunning run in rugby league. He won a premiership with the Sydney Roosters. Now he is heading back to rugby union in Japan.
His next move could shape the World Cup.
Wallabies coach Les Kiss has cooled talk of a fast return. He says Nawaqanitawase must earn his place. He says the winger has a lot to re-learn.
What happened
Nawaqanitawase has ruled himself out of Australia's Tests this year. His manager, Milan Volavola-Shankar, told News Corp the news. Nawaqanitawase informed Kiss of his choice in July.
Rugby Australia was also told.
"Mark will not be available for international rugby this year," his manager said. The choice means Nawaqanitawase will miss Australia's November tour. The Wallabies play England, Scotland and Wales in the Nations Championship.
His next step is Japan. Nawaqanitawase has signed a two-year deal with the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. Reports say the deal is worth $3 million over two years.
His focus now is to settle in Japan and get ready for the season.
The story then turns to 2027. Nawaqanitawase has three options for the World Cup. He can stay with Australia. He can switch to Fiji.
Or he can switch to Italy.
The rules allow a switch. Under World Rugby rules, a player can change nations after a three-year stand-down. Nawaqanitawase last played for Australia in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics in July 2024. He can become eligible for a new nation in August 2027, if World Rugby approves it.
His links are clear. He qualifies for Fiji through his father. He qualifies for Italy through his grandmother.
His manager said he stays open to all options.
"With his heritage making him eligible to represent both Italy and Fiji," his manager said. "He remains open to all options regarding his international future."
There is a catch. If Nawaqanitawase switches nations, he can never play for Australia again. The choice is final.
Reports say Fiji have shown interest in him for the World Cup. No formal approach has been reported. An Italy switch would also open the door to the Six Nations.
That is Europe's top annual rugby event.
Kiss spoke to reporters on Thursday. He played down talk of a quick recall. He said the Wallabies have "plenty of good options" on the wing.
He said Nawaqanitawase must first get back into rugby union.
"He's been out of rugby for a little while now," Kiss said. "He's keen to be involved at the right time. Being involved means getting back into rugby, getting to understand the game a little bit better.
"
Kiss also said the winger needs rest. "He hasn't trained for the last three weeks," Kiss said. "He's got a lot of things just to re-learn.
Won't take him long, that's for sure. "
Kiss made one thing clear. No player gets a free pass. "Everyone will earn their way," Kiss said.
"If he's playing good footy, he'll be in the mix. That's for sure. "
Why it matters
Nawaqanitawase is a rare talent. He has played both rugby codes at a high level. He won 11 caps for Australia in rugby union before he switched codes in 2024. He played for the Wallabies at the last Rugby World Cup in France.
His league run was even better. He scored 49 tries in 49 games for the Roosters. That is a try in every game.
He helped the Roosters win the NRL premiership. The Roosters beat Newcastle 19-18 in the grand final. He scored two tries in that game.
He also helped Australia win an Ashes series in league. He helped New South Wales win back the State of Origin trophy. Few players can claim that record across two codes.
That is why his choice matters. Australia want him back in gold for a home World Cup. A home World Cup is a rare event.
The Wallabies want their best players on home soil.
Fiji would gain a world-class finisher. Fiji play fast, open rugby. Nawaqanitawase fits that style.
Italy would gain a star name before the Six Nations. Both nations would grow stronger with him.
The timing adds pressure. The World Cup is next year. Nawaqanitawase becomes eligible for a switch in August 2027. That is close to the event.
He must make his choice in good time. He must also be fit and in form.
Kiss has a second reason to stay calm. The Wallabies are in good form. Kiss spoke before Australia's Bledisloe Cup game against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.
The Wallabies have strong wingers already. Kiss does not need to rush a player who has not played union for two years.
Union and league look alike. But they are not the same game. Union has 15 players per side.
League has 13. Union has lineouts, rucks and mauls. The rules for the tackle are different too. A player who moves back must re-learn these skills.
That is what Kiss means by "re-learn".
For more on rugby's other code, read about how the Rugby League World Cup opened. For another World Cup story, see England's injury change at the league Cup.
What happens next
Nawaqanitawase goes to Japan first. He will join the Wild Knights and start the new season. He will get game time in rugby union again.
That is the step Kiss wants to see.
The Wallabies play on without him this year. They face England, Scotland and Wales in November. Kiss will judge his wingers in those Tests.
Nawaqanitawase will watch from Japan.
The big choice comes next year. In August 2027, his stand-down ends. He can then pick a new nation, if he wants one.
He can also stay with Australia. Either way, he must be playing well in Japan.
His contract in Japan runs for two years. Reports say he could return to the NRL when it ends at the start of 2029. For now, union is his game again.
The World Cup will be the test. If he plays in gold, he will chase a home title. If he plays in white for Fiji or blue for Italy, he could face the Wallabies on Australian soil.
That would be one of the stories of the event.
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