Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase was tight-lipped about his future in the NRL but said he was "keen" to play for the Kangaroos in the end of year tour to the UK.
The Roosters winger's market value is sky high after being the leading regular season try-scorer with 23 in 22 games throughout his first season in rugby league.
He is contracted to the club until the end of next year, however he will be off-contract before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
READ MORE: Burning questions from Merrett bombshell answered
READ MORE: Kangaroos crisis could be save by snubbed Origin pair
READ MORE: Aussie legend Hewitt banned for 'pushing' official
It's understood his asking price to stay with the Roosters is $700,000 a year, a record contract for a winger in the code.
He has played for the Wallabies before and Rugby Australia is being urged to bring him back before the World Cup..
It's said Rugby Australia is willing to allow the star to make big money playing club rugby overseas, while still selecting him for the national side.
Ahead of the Roosters' finals clash with the Sharks on Saturday night, Nawaqanitawase looms as a key player for the Tricolours.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth, the former rugby sevens player remained tight-lipped about his future, while expressing interest in representing the Kangaroos at the end of this year.
"I've got another year here, I'm just looking forward to this final series and enjoying the the moment where I am now because these things don't last forever, and I'm enjoying my time here a lot," he said.
Asked if he dreamt about being a dual international with the upcoming tour of the UK, Nawaqanitawase said he was "keen" to play for the Kangaroos.
"I've been lucky to play for Australia (in rugby). I'm obviously Australian and obviously Fijian as well, so, you know, when that time comes, I'm definitely keen," he said.
Nawaqanitawase played 11 Tests for the Wallabies in 2022 and 2023 and was part of the the rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. NRL rivals and Rugby Australia can approach the star winger from November 1.
Speaking to AAP this week, the outside back admitted the decision regarding his future will be difficult.
"It's actually going to be a hard decision," Nawaqanitawase said.
"Because I love it, I love this club so much and I have loved my time here. I know the months after the season are going to be tough.
"It's obviously a grateful position to be in, in terms of making a decision, but it's going to be a tough one."
In that interview, Nawaqanitawase made no secret of the lure of playing in a Rugby World Cup in Australia.
"Definitely. I have played in (a World Cup) before and I know what it is like," he said.
"It's a home World Cup so it can't not be… 2027 is a whole year and a bit away. Anything is possible.
"This is my first finals footy, so I am trying to do as well as I can here. So I am leaving that stuff to towards the end of the year and go from there."
He will line up against Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo in Saturday night's blockbuster.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.