Roosters star set for rugby union defection

Sydney Roosters’ flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase will return to rugby union at the end of the 2026 season to join Australia’s home World Cup campaign.

Nawaqanitawase has been a breakout sensation for the Roosters in 2025, topping the try-scoring ladder and pushing for Kangaroos selection on Australia’s end-of-season Ashes series.

Deemed ineligible for the rookie of the year award due to his prior experience in Union, Nawaqanitawase has indicated to Roosters’ powerbrokers he will finish up at the club to return to rugby union and be eligible for the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign on Australian soil in 2027, per the Sydney Morning Herald.

He is expected to play union overseas after rule changes meant he can represent the Wallabies despite not playing in the domestic Super Rugby competition.

Nawaqanitawase has played 11 Tests for the Wallabies in 2022 and 2023 and was part of the rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Roosters’ winger has scored 25 tries in 24 appearances this season, including two hat-tricks and a four-try haul.

Sydney Roosters great Bryan Fletcher wasn’t surprised by the news of the winger’s return to rugby union.

Fletcher is a dual international, having represented the Wallabies and Kangaroos, a feat Nawaqanitawase could potentially achieve this season.

“Is it a shock? Is it a surprise,” Fletcher asked on SEN 1170 Drive.

“It’s always been mooted that he wanted to go back to rugby, but he should thank the Roosters because how much do you think this previous season has added to his contract?

“What will happen now is I’d imagine we won’t see him in (rugby) league after 2027 because it’ll be the World Cup, then French rugby, Japanese rugby, even English rugby.”