Mark Nawaqanitawase’s rise in the NRL has been nothing short of remarkable, and now, the Sydney Roosters flyer is on the verge of etching his name in the history books.
Achieving such a feat in his first full NRL season would be a sign of true greatness.
The Daily Telegraph revealed that Nawaqanitawase is chasing two major goals in 2025: one, representing Australia as a dual international and two, helping guide the Roosters into the finals.
Australian coach Kevin Walters has heaped praise on Sydney Roosters recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase, as the versatile winger pushes for a spot on the Kangaroos' upcoming tour of England.
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As a result, he’s delaying any decisions on his playing future, whether that’s remaining in the NRL or returning to rugby union until season’s end.
Amid concerns that several players may opt to represent rival nations, Walters welcomed Nawaqanitawase’s eagerness to don the green and gold.
And it seems the Kangaroos jumper may not be far out of reach.
Asked if Nawaqanitawase was in the selection frame, Walters told the Telegraph: “He would be, certainly. He can play fullback, centre and wing – he can cover a lot of positions so definitely.
“Everyone has been impressed by his transition from union to league. The skill set that he got from union is helping him big time in league. He is athletic and has a big carry and from what I’ve seen, the bigger the stage, the better he goes.”
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As he prepares for Saturday night’s crucial clash with the Dolphins, Nawaqanitawase’s long-term future remains uncertain. He has flourished under the Roosters’ systems and has privately credited the club for helping elevate his game.
Under contract for 2026, the 23-year-old will wait until October to sit down with family, friends and management before making a decision on what lies beyond.
While a return to rugby union and the allure of the 2027 Rugby World Cup remains on the table, Nawaqanitawase could also opt to stay at Bondi and pursue what’s shaping up to be a promising NRL career.
Campese told the Telegraph that he believes the switch was driven by a lack of opportunity in union.
“The problem in rugby was that he never got the ball, which is very indicative of the way we play rugby. The wingers sit out there and watch,” Campese said.
“But when he did have the ball he tried to do something different. When you’re a player who can finish off tries and win games for you, and you don’t get the ball, then you do get frustrated don’t you?
When asked if Nawaqanitawase was one of the players who "got away" from rugby, Campese said: “Well, mate, over the years, he is one of many that have got away.
“Unfortunately, the administrators that let them get away are still there, which is really sad."