Nawaqanitawase Considers Stunning Switch From Australia to Fiji or Italy Before 2027 World Cup

Mark Nawaqanitawase has sent a shudder through Australian rugby by revealing he is open to switching his international allegiance from the Wallabies to Fiji or Italy ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia. The 26-year-old wing, who won 11 Wallabies caps and represented Australia in sevens at the 2024 Olympics before switching to rugby league with the Sydney Roosters, has ruled himself out of Australia's November Nations Championship tour of England, Scotland, and Wales. His agent, Milan Volavola-Shankar, confirmed the decision to Code Sports on Tuesday, adding that Nawaqanitawase informed Wallabies coach Les Kiss of the call back in July. "Mark will not be available for international rugby this year," Volavola-Shankar said. "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." Under World Rugby regulations, Nawaqanitawase becomes eligible through his father (Fiji) and mother (Italy) two months before the World Cup. He has signed a two-year deal with Japan's Saitama Wild Knights worth a reported £1.6 million, and his immediate focus is establishing himself in Japan. The news is a blow to Australia's home-World Cup plans. Nawaqanitawase enjoyed a triumphant stint in the 13-man code — winning an Ashes series, a State of Origin series, and the NRL premiership with the Roosters — and had been widely expected to be a walk-up starter for the Wallabies next year. Notably, Fiji unveiled new head coach Jake White, the 2007 World Cup-winning Springboks boss, on the very same day.