Mark Nawaqanitawase set to leave Roosters for rugby return

[top_joe]

We didn't pay heaps for him and he has delivered in spades, given us heaps oh highlights, and sparked interest from wives and kids of league fans.

The club knew he would be going back for the World Cup, he owes us nothing.

Enjoy next year, and then enjoy watching him and Bondi Joe together the following year.

[The Lip]

The wallabies are a disaster-class atm. Who would really want to play for them when they have a chance to make it big in RL? It's not as if they will go far in the World Cup in any case based on current form.

You obviously haven’t been watching the Wallabies for a few years - they are right on the up - beat the Lions ( all Uk) the world champs SA in Sa and had a win and a loss v the Argies both close on home soil.

I don’t get the general RL communities hate for RU both games are great. Aus rugby has been very hard to follow the last 15 yrs but they are really on the improve and worth watching and supporting again now - the teams been plying very well.

[milanja]

Has he been guaranteed a starting spot for the wallabies? Seems like any decent rugby league winger walks into that team.

its unfortunate that he has to leave Australia to earn decent coin to play rugby(unless RA are picking up the bill), but when you choose a sport that no broadcaster wants to televise, that’s what you have to do.

[Michael Jones]

Australia in RU is still in the top 10 and improving - 1 all against World Champs South Africa and 1 all against Argentina who are certainly no slouches - Unlucky to lose against the British and Irish Lions 2-1

1. South Africa
2. Ireland
3. New Zealand
4. France
5. England
6. Argentina
7. Australia
8. Scotland
9. Fiji
10. Italy

[Waylander]

He's reportedly the leading error maker in the NRL.

Incorrect. That’s Zac Lomax.

[Michael Jones]

Rugby Australia made between 100 to 120 million from the British and Irish Lions tour - cleared their debts - Will reap a windfall from the Rugby Union World Cup in 2027 for sure,

[Rooster90]

Well we knew this would happen....Joey Manu to return in 2027?

Will certainly be going to market for a winger with the potential to lose both our 1st choice after next year.

[Steggles]

It was on the cards of course with the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027 ( 1 October to 13 November 2027.) but the thing that doesn't make sense is playing his Rugby Overseas - sure the money will be greater than playing for one of the super rugby sides but the old out of site out of mind springs to mind.

No mention that he has signed any Rugby Australia Contract such as Joseph Sua'ali'i did (2025 to 2027) with a 2 year player option ( 2028/2029)

Will it be for only 1 year (2027) when as mentioned in the article above he could earn up to 1 Million playing club Rugby in Europe (France) with generous tax breaks.

Daniel Tupou may get another extension after 2026?

Maybe we should have kept Dom Young?

[bondi.boy]

Maybe we should have kept Dom Young?

Yes indeed.
Too late now.
Dom was improving all the time.
The Pen reckoned he couldn't tackle, let tries in down his wing...
...and couldn't wait to get rid of him.

[bondi.boy]

Can't help but feel a bit used up. Bring him in, get him firing and on the radar with the wallabies when he was languishing in nothingness and couldn't get in to the team.

You might not be alone in that thinking.

[ism22]

Can't help but feel a bit used up. Bring him in, get him firing and on the radar with the wallabies when he was languishing in nothingness and couldn't get in to the team.

Yeah I'm tempted to say 'let him go straight away'. My thoughts are:
- RTS, Manu and Sua'ali'i all played like shyte during their final seasons with us and there's a general feeling that there's no point investing in them as they're dead to us.

- Not saying Young is the endgame but we lost him by starting Marky Mark ahead of him. It was also his poor defence, team skills and lack of patience (he coulda stayed if he wanted to) but now we need to replace Marky Mark and Toops... possibly in the same season!

- No hate for any of these guys but I feel as though they all get big under our systems, sign for $1m a season elsewhere and fade. To end on that note... my main glimmer of hope is that there will be more Latrells, Manus, Sua'ali'is, RTS', Marky Marks...etc. Every time the news drops, we find another one. Maybe... just MAYBE... playing with B-Moz as your reggies coach and Teddy/Toops as your team mates in 1sts makes outside back look better.

[HDTONE]

Like everyone, disappointed but not a real surprise. Seemed he was leaning that way.

Hopefully he does the business next year with us and we give him a Grand send off.

[Chook2]

If he doesn't come back, what a big waste of time and money.

How is chose to come to rugby league on less money then he was on in rugby
chose $500k with us over his $600k union contract
signing to 2026 he was allways going back to rugby in 2027 and why now - yes it’s dissapointing but the roosters new he was a massive chance to leave again
compared to what we were paying suaali and what rugby is paying him now I think it’s been a massive bargain for what he has produced being the best winger in the comp

[Rooster_6]

Not surprising, good luck to him.

He'll only be 27 in his year for the Wallabies and then we can bring him back to league in his prime.

Joey Manu is 30 next year and Suaalii never looked like reaching the heights that Nawaqanitawase has. I certainly feel most comfortable about bringing Marky Mark back out of the 3 code hoppers.

[Chook2]

I’m shocked by the amount of people surprised by this. The moment he signed for 2 years you knew it lined up perfectly with the World Cup on the horizon in 2027. He’s a special talent and athlete and we need to make best use of him before he leaves end of next year.

Circle of life. We haven’t been “used” and he owes us nothing but his best effort and performances in season 2026. Let’s hope we can send him out a winner and hopefully he might return after 2028 because a home World Cup would be one of the few pulls that Union has as a code.

Exactly you were a blind fool if you didn’t realise this as much as a shame it is even the roosters knew he was a big chance of going back

he is the best winger in the comp and provided us with brilliant tries and try assists along with topping the try scoring

we got him for a bargain and he owes us nothing - I would love him to come back but who knows

For 2027 we will be in the market for 2 wingers now