Sports · Other Sports · 15 hrs ago
Nawaqanitawase impresses Saitama Wild Knights after first week
Mark Nawaqanitawase has joined Japan’s Saitama Wild Knights after playing rugby league for the Sydney Roosters.
Attack coach Berrick Barnes says the winger has already impressed teammates in his first week with the club.
His leadership and positive attitude are building confidence, Barnes said, and Nawaqanitawase watched the team’s footage before arriving.
He has been away from rugby union for two and a half years, and now faces adjusting to a new language and culture.
The Wild Knights are based in Kumagaya, a regional city about 40 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train.
Nawaqanitawase is expected to make his debut in a pre-season game against Tochigi Honda Heat on December 5.
Mark Nawaqanitawase has impressed teammates at Japan’s Saitama Wild Knights after his first week with the club.
Attack coach Berrick Barnes said Nawaqanitawase had already shown leadership and helped build confidence in others.
The former Roosters premiership winner is expected to make his debut in a pre-season game against Tochigi Honda Heat on December 5.
Nawaqanitawase arrived in Japan at the start of November after a two-and-a-half-year absence from rugby.
He is adjusting to a new language and culture, with English used for most plays and a translator available at training.
- Who
- Mark Nawaqanitawase, a new winger at Saitama Wild Knights.
- What
- He has impressed his new teammates and attack coach Berrick Barnes in his first week with the club.
- When
- He arrived in Japan at the start of November 2026. He is expected to debut on December 5.
- Where
- Saitama Wild Knights, based in Kumagaya, Japan.
- Why
- Barnes praised Nawaqanitawase’s leadership and positivity, saying they give confidence to others.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nawaqanitawase arrived in Japan to join Saitama Wild Knights.
Barnes said Nawaqanitawase had already impressed his teammates and shown leadership.
Nawaqanitawase is expected to make his debut in a pre-season game against Tochigi Honda Heat.
- New club
- Saitama Wild Knights
- Base
- Kumagaya, Japan
- Expected debut
- December 5, 2026
- Previous club
- Sydney Roosters
- Test caps
- 51
What people are saying
You can already see the leadership qualities [he has]
He’s also got a positivity about him that breeds confidence in others; he genuinely believes not just in his own ability, but that of others and he gives others confidence.
The Japanese boys don’t even know who he is, that’s the truth