Thursday 15 October 2026
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Australia

Kiss confident Nawaqanitawase will choose Wallabies over Fiji for World Cup

Wallabies coach plays down eligibility switch concerns ahead of Nations Championship

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
Wallabies coach Les Kiss has expressed confidence that dual international Mark Nawaqanitawase will commit to Australia for next year's Rugby World Cup, even as the 26-year-old star becomes eligible to represent Fiji or Italy in August. Kiss confirmed Nawaqanitawase will miss Australia's three-Test Nations Championship tour in November but insisted the want-away winger wants to remain with the Wallabies.

Speaking on Thursday at Sydney's Accor Stadium, Kiss said: "I think there's no doubt that he wants to be back in the game for us, that's for sure."

Nawaqanitawase, who was one of the standouts in the Wallabies' difficult 2023 World Cup campaign and recently won an NRL premiership with the Sydney Roosters, is preparing to join Japanese League One side Saitama Wild Knights next month. His name returned to headlines after his agent, Milan Volavola-Shankar, left the door open for the winger to change national representation.

Having completed a mandatory three-year break from international rugby, Nawaqanitawase qualifies for both Fiji and Italy from August. New Fiji coach Jake White is expected to make a push for the athletic flyer. Sponsors are already circling to make him the face of the next World Cup, eager to capitalise on his profile after his grand final triumph.

Kiss acknowledged Nawaqanitawase would not be available for the November campaign but said he was untroubled. "Yes, that's no issue," Kiss told reporters. "For us, we've got plenty of good options, and we're going to focus on those."

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The Wallabies risk losing one of their most marketable players ahead of a World Cup on home soil.
  • Nawaqanitawase's decision will test Rugby Australia's ability to retain talent in the face of competition from other nations and rival codes.
  • His dual NRL-Wallabies profile makes him a crucial figure for expanding rugby union's audience in Australia.

Background

Mark Nawaqanitawase is a dual-international athlete who has played both rugby union for the Wallabies and rugby league for the Sydney Roosters. He emerged as a bright spot in Australia's otherwise disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign. After the NRL season, he is moving to Japan to play for Saitama Wild Knights. Under World Rugby eligibility rules, a player who has not represented a country for three years may switch national teams. Nawaqanitawase will become eligible for Fiji and Italy in August, having served that stand-down period.

Key Perspectives

Les Kiss (Wallabies coach): Confident the player wants to stay with Australia, and relaxed about his November absence, citing other options within the squad. Jake White (Fiji coach): Expected to pursue Nawaqanitawase aggressively to strengthen Fiji's national team. Mark Nawaqanitawase and his representatives: His agent has publicly left the door open to switching nations, keeping all options alive.

What to Watch

  • Nawaqanitawase's performances in Japan's League One and how they shape his profile.
  • Whether he makes a public commitment to Australia before the August eligibility date.
  • Potential sponsorship deals or incentives from Rugby Australia to secure his allegiance.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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