Wallabies coach to call Nawaqanitawase after agent's bombshell Fiji switch claim
Nawaqanitawase's agent claims the star winger may switch from Wallabies to Fiji.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is becoming a major issue for Australia's Rugby World Cup campaign. His agent revealed that the star winger is thinking about playing for Fiji instead of the Wallabies.
The 26-year-old scored six tries in 11 Tests for Australia in 2022-23. He then had a strong time with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
Nawaqanitawase is now signed to a two-year deal with Japan's Saitama Wild Knights. The deal is worth around $3 million.
Wallabies coach Les Kiss has not yet talked to Nawaqanitawase about his international future. Kiss plans to contact him soon.
Nawaqanitawase is very proud of his Fijian heritage through his biological father and late stepfather. Fiji beat Australia at the 2023 World Cup.
His agent is the brother of Fiji playmaker Ben Volavola. Other former Roosters teammates think he will return to the Wallabies.
But his silence has created uncertainty.
- 6 in 11 Tests in 2022-23
- Test tries for Wallabies
- Around $3 million over two years
- Saitama Wild Knights deal
- Les Kiss
- Coach
- Brother of Fiji playmaker Ben Volavola
- Agent's relation to Fiji
Why it mattersNawaqanitawase was set to be Australia's face for the home World Cup marketing effort. A switch to Fiji would hurt the team's depth and business value.
AustraliaIf Nawaqanitawase chooses Fiji, Australia loses a proven try-scorer at a critical juncture in World Cup preparation. If he stays, the Wallabies secure a code-hopping star ahead of home soil advantage.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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