Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Suaalii backs Nawaqanitawase's possible Wallabies return in November
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii wants Mark Nawaqanitawase back in the Wallabies for their spring tour in November.
Nawaqanitawase, a former Roosters winger who played 11 Tests for Australia, is due to join Japan’s Panasonic Saitama Wild Knights next month.
His return to the Wallabies is not confirmed: coach Les Kiss and Nawaqanitawase have yet to discuss his plans, while Rugby Australia is also talking with the Japanese club.
Nawaqanitawase is not contracted to Rugby Australia, so he could be selected only during official international release windows.
November is one of those windows, but he has indicated he may use the month to settle in with Panasonic before Japan’s league begins on December 12.
A Wallabies call-up could still fit around his move, though the club may want its new star to arrive early.
Nawaqanitawase has said he wants to play for Australia at next year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii said he hopes Mark Nawaqanitawase will rejoin the Wallabies for their spring tour as early as November.
Nawaqanitawase’s return remains uncertain, with plans yet to be discussed by him and coach Les Kiss.
Rugby Australia is also in talks with Nawaqanitawase’s new Japanese club, Panasonic Saitama Wild Knights.
Nawaqanitawase is due to join the club next month on a two-season, $3 million deal.
He wants to play for Australia at next year’s Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia.
- Who
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii backed Mark Nawaqanitawase’s possible return to the Wallabies.
- What
- Suaalii said he hopes Nawaqanitawase will rejoin the team for the spring tour. The plans remain uncertain.
- When
- As early as November, during the Wallabies’ spring tour.
- Where
- The Wallabies’ spring tour; Nawaqanitawase is moving to Japan to join Panasonic Saitama Wild Knights.
- Why
- Nawaqanitawase wants to play for the Wallabies at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nawaqanitawase played 11 Tests for the Wallabies, including the Rugby World Cup in France.
Suaalii switched from rugby league to rugby and played for the Wallabies weeks after finishing in the NRL.
Suaalii said he hoped Nawaqanitawase would rejoin the Wallabies as early as the following month.
Nawaqanitawase is due to move to Japan, though a Wallabies spring-tour appearance may still be possible.
The opening round of Japan’s League One is scheduled.
- Nawaqanitawase’s Wallabies Tests
- 11 in 2022–23
- New club
- Panasonic Saitama Wild Knights
- Contract
- Two seasons, $3 million
- Nawaqanitawase’s age
- 26
- Japan League One opening round
- December 12
What people are saying
It’ll be great to add his skill set over here in the Wallabies, and Angus here in the Waratahs and Wallabies as well.
Watching from afar, he did things that not many people can do in the game.
Sources
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