The Sydney Roosters have been dealt a blow with Mark Nawaqanitawase confirming he will leave rugby league at the end of his current deal in 2026.
The winger, who has long been linked with a return to rugby union, has now explained the reasons behind his decision, and it’s about more than a World Cup on the horizon.
Speaking to ABC Pacific, Nawaqanitawase said it was the character of the 15-man game that drew him back. “I love the game of union. There are a lot of things that I miss,” he admitted.
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Structure versus freedom
For Nawaqanitawase, the contrast between the two codes has been stark. “I guess the freedom [is something I miss],” he said. “If you come to league, I guess you’re kind of stuck to one side; it’s very structured. So in that sense, I miss that part where I could roam and get up to doing different things on any side.”
His reflections go beyond the tactical. The 24-year-old explained that the lifestyle of rugby union was another lure, offering opportunities league could not match. “The cool thing about union is you can travel the world,” he said. “Travelling the world and just meeting different cultures and different people … is an experience I wish all people could experience.”
Nawaqanitawase will see out his Roosters contract before rejoining rugby union in 2027, his return set against the backdrop of a global game and, quite possibly, a World Cup spotlight.