mens
international
Cross-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase has posted a story on his Instagram account in which he acknowledges the growing speculation surrounding his Test rugby future.
The 26-year-old capped a sensational two-year NRL spell with the Roosters earlier this month with a masterful Premiership final performance that earned his side the Provan-Summons Trophy.
However, before Wallabies fans could get too excited about his potential return for next years home Rugby World Cup, Nawaqanitawase’s agent revealed he is yet to commit to any international team. Star 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Olympics also have the right to perform for both Italy and Fiji, and now he has revealed that he is in no rush to decide which part of his heritage he wants to represent.
“Just thought I’d jump in here because there’s been a lot of speculation about my future,” his Instagram story reads.
“My only focus right now is on relocation Japan in a few weeks and linking up with my new team in Saitama the Panasonic Wild Knights. I will weigh my options and make a decision about my international future next year. With love, Marky.”
Nawaqanitawase has already opted out of the November bloc Nations Championship Tests, and this latest comment confirms that his timeline includes a decision about his allegiance to Test as well as his availability.
There remains plenty of confidence in the Australian camp that Nawaqanitawase’s future remains in Wallabies gold, with team captain Harry Wilson telling the media on Friday: “I don’t think I have to convince him. I played Junior Wallabies with him, played Wallabies with him, saw him last night rooting for the Kangaroos. I think he wants it for the good ones.”
Wallabies coach Les Kiss was equally confident, saying: “There’s no doubt he wants to get back into the game for us, that’s for sure. So we’ll continue our conversations and go from there. I won’t speak for him, but we know where he wants to play.”