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.
The former Waratahs star last represented the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and, having represented his country’s sevens team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will become eligible for Fiji and Italy from August 2027.
His agent Milan Volavola-Shankar said earlier this week that there was no guarantee that the prolific marksman would return to the Test stage with the Wallabies.
"Mark will not be available for international rugby this year," he told Code Sports.
"As of August next year, Mark will have completed his three-year international stand-down period. With his heritage making him eligible to represent both Italy and Fiji, he remains open to all options regarding his international future.”
As the speculation intensifies surrounding his return to the international stage, and with less than a year until the World Cup in Australia, Nawaqanitawase today issued a comment on his Instagram account.
“My only focus right now is moving to Japan in a couple of weeks and connecting with my new team at Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
“I will weigh up my options and make a decision next year on my international future.”
The cross-code revelation is joining the inaugural League One winners on a two-year deal as a replacement for his ex-Australia teammate Marika Koroibete who has joined Swansea-based URC side Ospreys.
Nawaqanitawase had the green light from his new club to play for the Wallabies in the Nations Championship in November, as per World Rugby’s release rules during a designated international window, but has decided to skip an early return to the 15-man game in order to focus on his move to Japan.
Saitama’s marquee signing, who also represented the Kangaroos as they whitewashed England in the Ashes series last year, signed off from rugby league with a return of 47 tries in 47 games for the Roosters.
Nawaqanitawase qualifies for Fiji through his biological father Sevuloni Nawaqanitawase and late stepfather Aisake Tovehi and for Italy via his grandmother.
The code-hopping livewire will make his League One debut for Saitama against Graham Rowntree’s Urayasu D-Rocks at home in Kumagaya on Saturday 12 December.
Nawaqanitawase will line-up alongside Springboks stars Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager as well as Brave Blossoms standouts Ben Gunter, Jack Cornelsen and Dylan Riley to face the D-Rocks whose squad includes Australia internationals Jordan Petaia and Samu Kerevi and South African brute Jasper Wiese.
Stay tuned to RugbyJP.com for full on-site coverage of the 2026-27 League One season
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