Mark Nawaqanitawase, the Roosters’ try-scoring machine, has expressed his desire to represent NSW in this year’s State of Origin series. He claims that his time in rugby league has made him “bigger, better and faster” ahead of his return to rugby next year.
Following a standout performance where he scored two tries in the Roosters’ 62-16 Anzac Day victory over the Dragons, Nawaqanitawase met with the media alongside fellow rugby-bound star Angus Crichton at Bondi Beach on Monday morning. The event coincided with Sydney’s public holiday, as locals enjoyed the sunny weather.
Nawaqanitawase, who recently toured the UK with the Kangaroos, has emerged as a potential option for NSW coach Laurie Daley, especially with Zac Lomax moving to rugby. Initially, he avoided questions about State of Origin, stating, “I’m just trying to put my best foot forward here at the Chooks.” However, he later admitted that representing the Blues in the series opener on May 27 would be an honour.
“It’s been a [dream] for most kids who played rugby league growing up,” Nawaqanitawase said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do. If it happens, it happens. It’s always nice to get a higher honour, but [I’m] not really focused on it at the moment.”
With an upcoming match against a Brisbane side expected to welcome back Reece Walsh from injury, Nawaqanitawase was cautious about looking too far ahead into his rugby future.
The winger is set to join the Japanese club Wild Knights next season before aiming for Wallabies selection ahead of the 2027 World Cup on home soil. His code switch remains a sensitive topic. While the Roosters are his immediate focus, Nawaqanitawase will follow Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to the 15-man code at the end of the season. NSW Waratahs star Max Jorgensen has also turned down offers from the Bondi club to stay in rugby.
When asked about the possibility of choosing between representing the Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup later this year and joining the Wallabies for their spring tour of Europe, Nawaqanitawase dismissed the question.
“That’s the last thing on my mind at the moment,” Nawaqanitawase said. “I’m strictly Roosters at the moment, so I haven’t really thought about it.”
Crichton, who has signed a two-year deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia starting at the end of this NRL season, echoed similar sentiments when asked about wanting to be in the Wallabies environment in November for Tests against England, Scotland, and Wales.
“It’s such a long way away,” Crichton said. “That’s my next deal and something that I’ll worry about when the season is over. I think I owe it to the club and to my teammates just to be dialled in here. I keep an eye on it [Super Rugby] but not looking too far ahead.”
Nawaqanitawase’s impact in the NRL has been impressive, with 32 tries in 31 appearances. This record suggests he could become one of the most potent outside backs in world rugby. The signs were already there, with Nawaqanitawase telling this masthead ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup: “I have the confidence I can beat anyone.”
Three years on, he believes his game has evolved significantly.
“I’m a different player to what I was two or three years ago,” Nawaqanitawase said. “In a non-arrogant way, [I am] bigger, better and faster. I’ve grown up a little bit. My physical aspect means I can do a lot more and just [be better] defensively as well. I’ve learned so much that I know it will make me a better player wherever I go.
“Rugby league and the NRL as a whole has exceeded what I thought I was going to feel [as an experience]. I’m going to miss everyone.”
With both players set to depart at the end of the season, Nawaqanitawase and Crichton admitted they were making a conscious effort to savour their final months at the Roosters — including what was likely their last Anzac Day appearance for the Tricolours.
“It was a great day to be a Rooster,” Nawaqanitawase said. “I’ve been shown a lot of love and support from all fans and ones that don’t even follow the Roosters.
“I’ve come to the realisation that it’s my last few days coming up, so it’s been quite sad thinking about it. I love the club and I love the boys.”
Crichton added: “I’m savouring the moments and the feelings and memories a bit more. Sometimes you need to stop and smell the roses a bit and enjoy the moments.”
The clash against Brisbane pits Crichton against Michael Maguire, the coach under whom he won the 2024 Wally Lewis Medal in NSW’s Origin series victory.
“Any team coached by Madge [Michael Maguire] you know they’re going to come out with their baseball bats,” Crichton said. “He’s got a good knack of getting guys to play well, and especially guys that feel like they’re underdogs.
“We definitely won’t be going in there thinking that we’re better than anyone. If anything, we’re the underdogs, and they’re the reigning premiers.”
