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Former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase has confirmed a significant move that will see him return to rugby union in 2027, signing a multi-million dollar deal with a Japanese Division One club.
The agreement, reported to be worth over $1 million per season, ensures the 24-year-old is available for selection for the Wallabies' home Rugby World Cup campaign in 2027.
Nawaqanitawase, currently contracted to the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, will see out the 2025 and 2026 seasons with the Tricolours before departing for Japan. This timeline allows him to fulfill his rugby league obligations while positioning himself for immediate re-entry into the international rugby landscape.
The move highlights a significant shift in Rugby Australia’s eligibility policies. Under previous selection criteria, overseas-based players were restricted from national selection unless they met specific cap thresholds. However, recent comments from Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, Peter Horne, suggest these restrictions have been effectively removed to ensure the strongest possible squad for the home tournament.
"The Giteau Law is kind of redundant," Horne noted recently, confirming that the Wallabies will look to select their best available talent regardless of their domestic club, provided they are playing at a high level.
This policy shift allows Nawaqanitawase to bypass a return to Super Rugby Pacific and instead compete in the lucrative Japan Rugby League One, a competition that has increasingly attracted elite international talent including Ardie Savea and Richie Mo'unga.
The Sydney Roosters have accepted the winger's decision to return to the 15-man code. Nawaqanitawase has made a strong impact since switching codes, topping the try-scoring lists in 2025 and earning selection for the Kangaroos.
Sources close to the deal indicate the Roosters remain on good terms with the player and have left the door open for a potential return to the NRL following his stint in Japan, specifically for the second half of the 2028 season.
The signing is a major boost for Rugby Australia’s World Cup preparations. Nawaqanitawase brings a unique profile of aerial ability and finishing prowess that was missed following his departure from the Waratahs in 2024.
His time in the NRL has reportedly improved his defensive reads and physical conditioning, attributes that Rugby Australia officials believe will translate effectively back to the international stage.
Nawaqanitawase is expected to join his new Japanese club in late 2026 following the conclusion of the NRL finals series.