Joe Schmidt says RA's door always open for Mark Nawaqanitawase

Mark Nawaqanitawase’s red-hot form in the NRL has earned the admiration of Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies coach, saying the door remains open for the winger to return to the 15-man game.

Nawaqanitawase has had NRL pundits gushing with praise since landing at the Sydney Roosters after his Olympic Games exploits with the Australian sevens team last year.

The 25-year-old has turned heads with several eye-catching plays in his first full season in the NRL and finished the regular campaign with 23 tries in 22 games.

Spoken of as an option for the Kangaroos’ Ashes tour to England this year, Nawaqanitawase will be free to speak to rival clubs – and codes – as soon as November 1 when he enters the final 12 months of his Roosters contract.

The lure of playing in the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia is sure to carry considerable weight, but Schmidt concedes Roosters coach Trent Robinson won’t let the winger go without a fight.

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Australia

26 - 28

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Argentina

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“I saw Mark in passing a couple of weeks ago and he certainly looked in good shape,” Schmidt said ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.

“I’ve seen him score a couple of very impressive tries. He loves getting in at the corner and quite acrobatically.

“There’s a few guys floating around that have been in the rugby union production line who I don’t think Rugby Australia has closed the door on either.

“A lot of that rests in Mark’s court as to what he does next.

“I haven’t spoken to Trent about it, and I’m not sure Trent is looking to let him go at this stage either.”

Schmidt said regardless of Nawaqanitawase’s next steps, the Wallabies, who have named Max Jorgensen and Corey Toole on the wings to face Argentina in Sydney this weekend, are well stocked.

“I don’t think we discount anyone in terms of players who have either been in the gold jersey previously or have come through the school system and potentially would like to be back involved with rugby union,” Schmidt said.

“There’s so much talent amongst some of those players, and his (Nawaqanitawase’s) athleticism in the air is not too different from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

“To have athletes like that, it’s always something that would add value.

“But at the same time, we’ve got guys who’ve stayed invested in rugby union, and Max Jorgensen has been outstanding.

“Corey Toole has come through, and his two Tests have been really impressive.

“Harry Potter, before he got injured, was playing really well, and Dylan Pietsch brings a real physical edge out wide.

“There are a few wingers that have been really good for us.”