Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii may be grabbing the headlines, but he’s not the only code-hopper at the Sydney Roosters with unfinished business.
Wallabies-bound winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has made it clear his upcoming switch to rugby union won’t distract him from one final mission in the NRL — delivering a premiership to the Roosters.
Set to depart for rugby at the end of the season, Nawaqanitawase has quickly won over teammates and fans alike since crossing from union, bringing elite athleticism, aerial dominance and a calm professionalism to the Tricolours’ backline. But despite the long-term contract waiting for him in rugby, his focus remains firmly on Bondi.
“I didn’t come here just to pass time before rugby,” Nawaqanitawase said. “I came to win. This club expects premierships, and that’s the goal.”
The Roosters see him as a genuine X-factor for their 2026 campaign — a big-game player capable of changing momentum in tight finals clashes. His experience at international level, combined with his physical presence on the wing, adds another layer to a side already stacked with finals pedigree.
Coaches inside the club have been impressed with how quickly he’s adapted to league systems, defensive reads and the relentless pace of the NRL. More importantly, they’ve noted his mindset — treating his Roosters stint not as a stopover, but as a legacy opportunity.
With a roster brimming with experienced winners and emerging stars, the Roosters believe this could be the perfect storm: a motivated squad, a premiership window wide open, and a code-switcher determined to leave with silverware.
If Nawaqanitawase does walk away with a Provan-Summons Trophy before heading back to rugby, his short NRL chapter won’t be remembered as a curiosity — but as a mission accomplished.
