Mark Nawaqanitawase to leave NRL ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup - report

Former Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is reportedly returning to rugby union ahead of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia, with the code-hopper informing the Sydney Roosters of his decision to leave the NRL after the 2026 season.

Sydney Morning Herald scribe Michael Chammas has revealed that Nawaqanitawase has made this headline-grabbing call, following a sensational season with the Tricolours, with the 25-year-old finishing the regular season as the NRL’s top try-scorer.

Nawaqaniatwase scored 24 tries during the campaign, which included a hat-trick against the Dolphins and a four-try haul away to the Melbourne Storm. The Rugby League Players Association announced its 2025 Dream Team on Monday, with Nawaqanitawase on one wing.

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It’s been reported that Nawaqanitawase is set to chase his dream of representing Australia at the home Rugby World Cup, but the 11-Test Wallaby plans on heading overseas rather than sign with an Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchise.

Rugby Australia’s Director of Performance Peter Horne told media after the British & Irish Lions Series that “the Giteau Law’s kind of redundant.” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is able to pick overseas-based players if desired for the national side.

“It is a shock? Is it a surprise,” 2002 Sydney Roosters premiership player Brian Fletcher said on SEN 1170 Drive.

“It’s always been mooted that he wanted to go back to rugby, but he should thank the Roosters because hoe much do you think this previous season has added to his contract?

“What will happen now is I’d imagine we don’t see him in league after 2027 because it’ll be the World Cup, then French rugby, Japanese rugby, even English rugby.”

There have been rumours about Nawaqanitawase’s future for a while, with rugby league reporter Buzz Rothfield explaining on Triple M earlier this month that “rugby’s the danger” during a discussion about whether another NRL club may attempt to sign the Paris Olympian.

 

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There’s a real buzz about rugby union in Australia, with the Wallabies capturing headlines with some impressive performances this season. After a nail-biting win over Fiji to start their campaign, the Wallabies suffered a nail-biting loss to the Lions at the MCG.

Australia bounced back to defeat the Lions in the final Test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, before backing that up with an incredible comeback win over South Africa in Johannesburg. They have since beaten Argentina in one of two matches, and face New Zealand this weekend.

The All Blacks will host the first of two Bledisloe Cup Tests at Auckland’s Eden Park, before the two sides make the trip west to face off against at Perth’s Optus Stadium on October 4. After four rounds, the Wallabies sit in first-place on The Rugby Championship standings.