NRL’s leading try scorer Mark Nawaqanitawase has informed the Sydney Roosters that he intends to leave the club at the end of 2026 and return to rugby union in time for a home World Cup.
Over the past couple of months, Nawaqanitawase has considered his future. He recently indicated to the Roosters that, after completing the 2026 season, he will leave the club.
After leaving the Roosters at the end of 2026, he is expected to pursue rugby union overseas rather than with Australian Super Rugby franchises.
A change in Rugby Australia’s rules will allow him to still represent the Wallabies in the 2027 World Cup despite playing abroad after the code rolled back from the Giteau rule.
Nawaqanitawase joined the Roosters at the end of last season, following his participation with the Australian rugby sevens team at the Paris Olympics, and has been a revelation since.
He is set to earn a spot on the Australian Kangaroos 22-man touring squad to England for this year’s Ashes Series after Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys confirmed he would not stand in the way of selectors and was hoping to see the player in a Kangaroos jumper.
Nawaqanitawase will be fighting against the likes of Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates for a spot in the wing for the first Test at Wembley on October 25th.
Nawaqanitawase has loved his time at the Roosters but informed the club that it is his dream to play for the Wallabies at a home World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Roosters had made it to the final eight, but they lost to the Sharks 20-10 in the first week of the preliminary finals.
The Sharks have been consistent, going on to beat the Raiders 32-12 last Saturday, and setting up a preliminary final against the Storm at 9:50 pm on Friday in Melbourne.
Defending champions, the Penrith Panthers, will face the Broncos at 6.05pm Sunday in Brisbane.
Sydney Morning Herald
