Sydney Roosters have landed a major blow in the code war with rugby union, set to sign exciting Wallabies flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase on a two-year deal beginning in 2025.
The athletic winger has already made his mark on the domestic and international union stage at a young age and now returns to the sport he played as a junior.
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Who is Mark Nawaqanitawase? Career and bio
Nawaqanitawase was born and raised in the Sydney suburb of Burwood.
He played rugby league as a child for both Concord-Burwood Wolves and Leichhardt Wanderers before making the switch to union at 14 years old.
In schoolboy rugby, he made his mark for St Patrick's College Strathfield, providing pathways to first grade with Eastwood in the Shute Shield.
He made 17 appearances for Eastwood, scoring 45 points in his debut season.
Nawaqanitawase's professional career began in 2019 with the NSW Country Eagles in the now-defunct National Rugby Championship.
His progression continued the following year, joining the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super Rugby competition.
He has remained there since and has scored 105 points in 42 appearances across three seasons.
Typically a winger, Nawaqanitawase also has the skillset to play fullback.
Nawaqanitawase got his first taste of international rugby when he represented Australia at the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship in 2019.
He made the step up to the Australia A squad in 2022 where he helped the team finish second at the Pacific Nations Cup.
His performances saw him called up to the Wallabies in the same year ahead of the Autumn internationals series.
How do you pronounce Mark Nawaqanitawase's name?
Nawaqanitawase's surname is pronounced "Nuh-wonga-neetar-wahzee", per Rugby.com.au.
It is of Fijian origin.
How tall is Mark Nawaqanitawase?
The Wallabies winger is listed as being 191cm tall - or 6'3" - and weighs around 100kg.
Which club does Mark Nawaqanitawase play for?
Nawaqanitawase currently plays for Super Rugby club the NSW Waratahs.
He joined them in 2020 and recently signed a one-year extension that will keep him at the club until 2024.
However, he will be calling the Sydney Roosters home from 2025, inking a deal with the NRL powerhouse.