Jake White: We’d be utterly happy if Mark Nawaqanitawase joined Fiji
New Fiji head coach Jake White is an admirer of cross-code superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase and told RugbyJP.com that he’d be ‘completely and utterly happy’ if the wing wizard were to switch his allegiance to represent the island nation.
Former Toyota Verblitz head coach White, 62, won his return to Test rugby as Fiji avenged their Pacific Nations Cup final loss to Japan by spoiling Eddie Jones’ team's low-key 100th anniversary celebrations in Tokyo on Saturday.
We asked the World Rugby Hall of Famer, who led South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007 with Jones as one of his assistants, for his impressions of Saitama Wild Knights-bound Nawaqanitawase, who is eligible to switch nations to play for Fiji and Italy from next summer, and whether he has spoken to the ex-Sydney Roosters wing.
“We'd be completely and utterly happy if he joined Fiji,” White told RugbyJP.com in Tokyo.
“He’s a very good talent and that’s why the whole world is asking what’s next for him because they appreciate how good he is and how much value he can add to any international team he decides to join.”
White revealed that their paths haven’t crossed previously but he understands the intense spotlight surrounding the NRL Grand Final winner who is expected to move to Japan in November to join Saitama’s pre-season preparations.
“I must say, I haven’t had much dealings with him personally.
“I was on the other side of the world and when I was coaching and he was playing for the Waratahs, we didn’t play Super Rugby.
“The media is going crazy about him. I noticed him when he was playing for the Waratahs and the Wallabies and I’ve also seen how successful he’s been in his conversion to rugby league.
“He summed it up in the media when he said he wants to make a decision that will make him happy.”
RugbyJP asked White if his appointment will see a clean slate for Fiji’s vast talent pool and open the door to players who are set to qualify for the three-time World Cup quarter-finalists before next year’s showpiece event such as former Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete.
“Who are the best players from Fiji,” said White.
“Is it a player who has a good agent and sends him to a nice club in France or a guy who lives on the island in Fiji who hasn’t been given an opportunity?
“The fair thing for me to do is to give everyone a fair crack at making the World Cup squad. It's easy to say and I think everyone understands – we need the best 33 players available from Fiji and if they’re fit we can be a real force at the World Cup.
“The board has given me they're backing on that.”
White will take a clear and open approach to selection as he looks towards the World Cup where they will play Argentina, Spain and Canada in the pool stage.
“I think it’s exciting for these players because it doesn't matter if you’ve played a few games for Fiji or your earning big money overseas or you're playing at the Drua or you're playing in the Skipper Cup (Fiji’s national provincial championship), I think the secret is to give everyone a fair crack.
“Fiji are sleeping giants. They haven’t got over the line when it's really counted. It’s a clean slate and it's an opportunity for everyone. The doors are open for anyone who wants to represent Fiji.”
White wants to see Fijian players who are lighting up the game’s premier club competitions all over the world to consistently produce the same form for their country.
“We want the players who want to play well for Fiji.
“I said it not as a challenge or an attack on anybody but why do Fijian players dominate all the competitions they play in whether its Pro D2, whether it’s the Top 14 or the Japanese league, or whether it’s the English PREM, why do Fijian players win MVP awards week in week out and for the season, most improved, top try scorer and when they come back to their country they can’t gel and put it together as a collective.
“I understand the salaries but that’s my job to see if I can get the same enthusiasm, the same excitement and energy and returns as they get for their clubs because they are a sleeping giant.
“If they awaken we all know how dangerous they can be.”
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