Mark Nawaqanitawase is unlikely to make his Wallabies return on the November tour of the United Kingdom, although Rugby Australia remains in discussions with his new Japanese club over the winger’s availability for a potential Test comeback ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Nawaqanitawase, whose last match for the Wallabies was against Portugal at the 2023 World Cup, faces a race against time to re-establish himself in Les Kiss’ side for the World Cup, which begins on October 1, 2027.
The Sydney Roosters winger will finish up his NRL commitments on October 4 at the latest. The Wallabies’ last Test of their spring tour is against Wales on the 27th November, which would leave Nawaqanitawase just over two weeks to prepare before the first game of the Japan League One season with Saitama Wild Knights.
The next Test in which Nawaqanitawase could potentially return is the inaugural Bledisloe Anzac fixture next April in Brisbane, but this would need the permission of the Wild Knights given it falls outside the World Rugby regulation 9 window, which covers the mandatory release of players by clubs for Test rugby.
Nawaqanitawase is more likely to make his Wallabies return in the Rugby Championship next July and August. The tournament returns after a year’s delay due to New Zealand’s tour of South Africa.
According to informed sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, Nawaqanitawase is in regular contact with Rugby Australia and wants to play for the Wallabies in next year’s World Cup, despite being eligible for both Fiji and Italy.
The winger is also keen to settle into his new club in Japan under New Zealand coach Robbie Deans, where he will be on a salary of over $1 million a season.
Nawaqanitawase last September informed the Roosters he intended to leave the club at the end of 2026 to chase his dream of playing at a home World Cup. Despite strong interest from France, he decided to join the Wild Knights, where his teammates will include South Africa Test stars Damian Allende and Lood de Jager.
Australian rugby is well stocked with wingers, including Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole, Harry Potter, Filipo Daugunu and fellow cross-hopper Zac Lomax.
Lomax is currently recovering from a groin injury and pushing to play for the Force in round one of Super Rugby AUS against the Reds on 12 September. Lomax could then secure a place on the Australia A tour to the United States in October under coaches Joe Schmidt and Stephen Larkham.
Nawaqanitawase can play wing and fullback in rugby and brings an elite aerial ability to the 15-man code. He has scored 40 tries in 43 NRL appearances so far in the last two seasons, and made his State of Origin debut ithis year. Nawaqanitawase played a key role in the series victory, playing in games two and three for NSW.
There remains a slim possibility that Nawaqanitawase could play some part in the spring tour, but it is likely to depend on the outcome of discussions between the player, RA and the Wild Knights
Nawaqanitawase’s Roosters teammate Angus Crichton is available to join the Waratahs from November 1st, but could potentially secure an early release from the NRL club, similar to Suaalii who made his Wallabies debut on the 2024 spring tour.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have left Jujuy after their six-point win over Argentina in the mountain city and have arrived in Mendoza ahead of Saturday’s second Test against the Pumas at the 42,000-capacity Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
In 2024 and 2025, the Wallabies won their first Test against Argentina, before losing the second game in the series.
Pumas coach Felipe Contempomi was left unhappy with his side’s ill-discipline in Jujuy.
The Pumas conceded 14 penalties against the Wallabies, the most in Contempomi’s two-year tenure in charge of the team.
“Sometimes this happens when you’re in this development phase we’re in as a team,” Contempomi told ESPN after the game. “We weren’t able to navigate the difficult moments well.”
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