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Mark Nawaqanitawase: My only focus now is moving to Japan
Saitama Wild Knights-bound wing wizard Mark Nawaqanitawase has commented on his return to rugby union for the first time since his agent suggested that the dual-code star could switch allegiance to represent Fiji or Italy next year. Sydney-born Nawaqanitawase, 26, scored a brace to help the Sydney Roosters to a dramatic 19-18 NRL Grand Final win over Newcastle Knights on 4 October in the final game of his two-year deal. Sydney Roosters © The former Waratahs star last represen

Mark Pickering
Oct 162 min read


Saitama’s Nawaqanitawase to make JRLO bow against Kerevi and Petaia
Incoming Saitama Wild Knights wing Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his Japan Rugby League One (JRLO) debut against Wallabies teammates Jordan Petaia and Samu Kerevi’s Urayasu D-Rocks on Saturday 12 December. Cross-code revelation Nawaqanitawase, 26, has been signed by the inaugural League One winners on a two-year deal as a replacement for his ex-Australia teammate Marika Koroibete who has since joined Swansea-based URC side Ospreys. The wing wizard is currently on NRL Premiers

Mark Pickering
Sep 162 min read


12 Japan-based stars who could switch nations in 2026/27
RugbyJP.com has compiled a 12-man list of high-profile Japan Rugby League One players who could potentially switch Test nations in the 2026/2027 season. Toyota's Mark Tele'a and Suntory's Kotaro Matsushima contest a high ball - © JRLO Notes: This is a list of players who have the possibility of changing nations (as it stands) providing they complete a mandatory three-year stand down period from their last Test match. All requests for a change in nationality are subject to app

Mark Pickering
Aug 193 min read


Ex-Saitama wing Marika Koroibete joins Indian side
Former Saitama Wild Knights wing Marika Koroibete has joined Indian sevens side Chennai Bulls on a lucrative short-term deal. Koroibete, 33, who scored three tries this season for the third-place play-off winners, will play for his new side in the second instalment of the HSBC-backed Rugby Premier League from 16 to 28 June in Hyderabad, India. © JRLO The ex-Wallabies winger last represented Australia in 2024 and, after five seasons in Kumagaya, is one of eight players who hav

Mark Pickering
Jun 111 min read


Dual-code wing Mark Nawaqanitawase to join Saitama Wild Knights
Australia’s dual-code wing Mark Nawaqanitawase’s new club has been revealed as Saitama Wild Knights after the League One leaders announced the deal on Monday afternoon. The 25-year-old Sydney Roosters wing will spend a second season in the NRL this year before moving to Japan in December following the Wallabies’ end-of-year tour. According to the Sydney Herald, Nawaqanitawase has inked a two-year contract with Atsushi Kanazawa’s inaugural League One champions who are currentl

Mark Pickering
Feb 92 min read


Dual-code wing Mark Nawaqanitawase to join Japanese team
Australia’s dual-code wing Mark Nawaqanitawase has inked a two-year deal with a Japanese division one club, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The 25-year-old Sydney Roosters wing will spend a second season in the NRL this year before moving to Japan as he returns to union to earn a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Nawaqanitawase has penned a lucrative deal with more than $1 million a season and has resisted offers from France, Jonathan Drennan reported. The form

Mark Pickering
Jan 212 min read
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