Nawaqanitawase hailed as rare talent by Japan rugby club
Australian code-hopper Mark Nawaqanitawase has joined Japan's Saitama Wild Knights and won instant admiration from Springbok and All Black teammates.
Mark Nawaqanitawase has joined the Saitama Wild Knights after becoming the only player to win an NRL title, Ashes series and State of Origin in 2026. Coach Berrick Barnes says the arrival has lifted the entire squad.
Even big stars like two-time Rugby World Cup winner Damian de Allende and Sam Whitelock have shown genuine excitement to have him on the team. Barnes said Nawaqanitawase brings a rare energy to the dressing room.
He arrived Thursday and had already watched video of the club and learned teammates' names. The Australian will find he can go about in Japan outside games without being noticed, Barnes noted, as rugby league is barely watched there.
- Berrick Barnes
- Coach
- Robbie Deans
- Director of rugby
Why it mattersNawaqanitawase's reputation in rugby league is translating immediately into rugby union respect at one of Asia's top clubs, showing his code-switching skill runs deep.
AustraliaAustralian rugby fans can follow Nawaqanitawase's evolution in a new code; his success could prompt more NRL stars to test rugby union, especially ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
