NRL lands HUGE blow on Rugby Australia as Sydney Roosters sign Wallabies superstar amid intense code war
The Roosters are going to deal a significant blow to Rugby Australia, with Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase due to join the NRL club on a two-year contract.
The Tricolours are still suffering from RA’s lucrative move for gun fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, and they have exacted revenge on the rival code by securing the 23-year-old’s services until 2025.
According to News Corp, Nawaqanitawase has signed till the end of 2026, allowing him to return to Union for the 2027 World Cup, which will be held by Australia.
It is yet another setback for Rugby Australia in an already disastrous year, with the Wallabies tumbling out of the 2023 World Cup at the pool stage before Eddie Jones stormed out on his home country.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan, who oversaw the catastrophic year, has been fired, and the body has been forced to take out a $80 million loan after a private equity transaction fell through.
Suaalii and Nawaqanitawase are set to cross codes simultaneously, in what is effectively a straight exchange. Suaalii’s growth will be accelerated by the Wallabies’ inclusion in the 2024 end-of-year tour, and he will most likely take over the place left vacant by Nawaqanitawase.
The Roosters’ move comes after the NRL approved pay cap relief for clubs hoping to attract rugby’s top prospects, though that decision has divided some in the game.
Parramatta’s general manager Mark O’Neill believes such a move will thwart the ‘threat’ of more raids on NRL talent.
‘We have an attractive game. It’s worth exploring to make sure our game stays as strong as it possibly can be,’ O’Neill said.
‘I think it’s definitely a threat and we need to consider that accordingly. There’s a level of threat that comes with it, the level of threat at the moment might be low now that Suaalii is gone and there doesn’t appear to be anyone following but that will change from time to time and the threat will increase.
‘I do support any innovative way and ideas that improve this scenario for NRL clubs.’
The ARL Commission are expected to discuss potential options for exemptions at this month’s meeting, with Rugby Australia bosses admitting a horror World Cup has left them vulnerable.
In addition to Nawaqanitawase, NSW Waratahs teenager Max Jorgensen has long been a target for the NRL.
‘We want the best athletes playing our game, whether that’s the men’s or women’s competition,’ Andrew Abdo said.
‘Growth is on our agenda, so while our primary focus is developing rugby league talent through our own pathways, we’re also open to attracting and, potentially in some cases, returning to league from other codes.
‘Would salary-cap relief be potentially used? Yes.
‘That’s an absolute possibility that the commission will consider, and consider in due course.’
