Roosters try-scoring machine Mark Nawaqanitawase says he would love to represent NSW in this yearโs State of Origin series after declaring his stint in rugby league has made him โbigger, better and fasterโ ahead of a return to rugby next year.
Fresh off scoring two tries in the Roostersโ 62-16 Anzac Day demolition of the Dragons, Nawaqanitawase fronted media alongside fellow rugby-bound star Angus Crichton at Bondi Beach on Monday morning, as Sydneysiders soaked up the public holiday sun.
Nawaqanitawase, who toured the UK with the Kangaroos last year, has emerged as a genuine option on the wing for NSW coach Laurie Daley, particularly in light of Zac Lomaxโs departure to rugby.
After initially deflecting questions about State of Origin โ โIโm just trying to put my best foot forward here at the Chooksโ โ the 25-year-old conceded he would be honoured to line up for the Blues in the series opener in Sydney on May 27.
โItโs been a [dream] for most kids who played rugby league growing up,โ Nawaqanitawase said. โItโs been something Iโve wanted to do. If it happens, it happens. Itโs always nice to get a higher honour, but [Iโm] not really focused on it at the moment.โ
With a tantalising clash looming on Saturday against a Brisbane side likely to welcome back Reece Walsh from injury, Nawaqanitawase was careful to avoid looking too far ahead into his rugby future.
The winger is set to join Japanese club Wild Knights next season before a likely push for Wallabies selection ahead of the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
His impending code switch remains an awkward subject. The Roosters are his immediate focus, but Nawaqanitawase will follow Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to the 15-man code at the end of the season. NSW Waratahs star Max Jorgensen has also rejected overtures from the Bondi club to remain in rugby.
Asked about the prospect of choosing between representing the Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup later this year and joining the Wallabies for their spring tour of Europe, Nawaqanitawase brushed the question aside.
โThatโs the last thing on my mind at the moment,โ Nawaqanitawase said. โIโm strictly Roosters at the moment, so I havenโt really thought about it.โ
Crichton, who has signed a two-year deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia which begins at the end of this NRL season, struck a similar tone when asked whether he wanted to be in the Wallabies environment in November for Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.
โItโs such a long way away,โ Crichton said. โThatโs my next deal and something that Iโll worry about when the season is over. โI think I owe it to the club and to my teammates just to be dialled in here. I keep an eye on it [Super Rugby] but not looking too far ahead.โ
Nawaqanitawaseโs impact in the NRL has been impressive and emphatic, with 32 tries in 31 appearances โ a return that suggests he could become one of the most potent outside backs in world rugby.
The signs were already there, with Nawaqanitawase telling this masthead ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup: โI have the confidence I can beat anyoneโ.
But three years on, he believes his game has evolved significantly.
โIโm a different player to what I was two or three years ago,โ Nawaqanitawase said. โIn a non-arrogant way, [I am] bigger, better and faster. Iโve grown up a little bit. My physical aspect means I can do a lot more and just [be better] defensively as well. Iโve learned so much that I know it will make me a better player wherever I go.
โRugby league and the NRL as a whole has exceeded what I thought I was going to feel [as an experience]. Iโm going to miss everyone.โ
With both due to depart at seasonโs end, Nawaqanitawase and Crichton admitted they were making a conscious effort to savour their final months at the Roosters โ including what was likely their last Anzac Day appearance for the Tricolours.
โIt was a great day to be a Rooster,โ Nawaqanitawase said. โIโve been shown a lot of love and support from all fans and ones that donโt even follow the Roosters.
โIโve come to the realisation that itโs my last few days coming up, so itโs been quite sad thinking about it. I love the club and I love the boys.โ
Crichton added: โIโm savouring the moments and the feelings and memories a bit more. Sometimes you need to stop and smell the roses a bit and enjoy the moments.โ
The clash against Brisbane pits Crichton against Michael Maguire, the coach under whom he won the 2024 Wally Lewis Medal in NSWโs Origin series victory.
โAny team coached by Madge [Michael Maguire] you know theyโre going to come out with their baseball bats,โ Crichton said. โHeโs got a good knack of getting guys to play well, and especially guys that feel like theyโre underdogs.
โWe definitely wonโt be going in there thinking that weโre better than anyone. If anything, weโre the underdogs, and theyโre the reigning premiers.โ
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Tom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
