Mark Nawaqanitawase may have his heart set on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped Kangaroos selectors from keeping him firmly in the frame for next month’s Ashes tour.
The Roosters winger, who will return to rugby union at the end of the 2026 NRL season, remains under strong consideration after an eye-catching campaign.
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Both Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters and selector Andrew Johns have made it clear that short-term ambition, not long-term plans, will guide their decision.
'You want to win in the present'
Walters told Triple M’s The Coaches: “It doesn't change what happens at the end of this year, certainly not. He's still in contention. His form all season has been something that's caught the selectors' eye, so we'll sit down and pick the Kangaroos squad of 22 on the Monday after the NRL grand final, so not long to go now.”
Johns struck a similar note on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour, saying he had “no problem” with Nawaqanitawase’s code switch. “You want to win. You want to win in the present ... I think he should be available, and I think he should be picked,” he said.
The former playmaker pointed to a shortage of outside backs, with Latrell Mitchell ruled out and Stephen Crichton committed to Samoa. Johns even floated Bradman Best, Xavier Coates, Zac Lomax and Jesse Ramien as options, but insisted Nawaqanitawase would be hard to ignore.
A final squad will be named after the NRL grand final, with Johns confirming selectors will hold a crunch meeting this Sunday.