Mark Nawaqanitawase set to leave Roosters for rugby return

Mark Nawaqanitawase has informed the Sydney Roosters he intends to leave the club at the end of 2026 and return to rugby union in time for a home World Cup.

The NRL’s leading try scorer has been mulling over his future over the past couple of months and has indicated to the Roosters powerbrokers that he will finish up at the club after next season.

Nawaqanitawase is expected to snub Australia’s Super Rugby franchises in favour of playing rugby union overseas.

A change in Rugby Australia’s rules will allow him to still represent the Wallabies in the 2027 World Cup despite playing abroad after the code rolled back from the Giteau rule.

Nawaqanitawase has been a revelation since joining the Roosters at the end of last season following the conclusion of his commitments with the Australian rugby sevens team at the Paris Olympics.

He is set to earn a spot on the Australian Kangaroos 22-man touring squad to England for this year’s Ashes Series after ARLC chair Peter V’landys confirmed he would not stand in the way of selectors and was hoping to see the player in a Kangaroos jumper.

“Its up to the Australian selectors, however I have no problem and hope they pick him,” V’landys said. “He’s an excitement machine and would add thousands of fans to the Wembley game against England.”

He will be fighting against the likes of Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates for a wing spot for the first Test at Wembley on October 25.

Nawaqanitawase has loved his time at the Roosters but informed the club it is his dream to play for the Wallabies at a home World Cup.

Meanwhile, Victor Radley says he feared he would be sacked by the Roosters over the publication of text messages which embarrassed club supremo Nick Politis, and revealed he has postponed his wedding due to the financial hit that followed.

Radley spoke for the first time since being hit with a 10-match ban and $150,000 financial penalty by the Roosters after he was implicated in a Queensland Police investigation that led to former teammate Brandon Smith facing a drug supply charge.

The popular forward will not be paid during his ban and was ordered to make a donation of $30,000 to St Vincent’s Hospital. But he says he accepts the price and is relieved he wasn’t shown the door by the club.

“I don’t feel like I’ve donated money,” Radley said on Tuesday after visiting a cancer ward at the hospital. “I feel like the club has done the right thing by saying the money should go to St Vincent’s Hospital. “I’m just a bit embarrassed to say I’ve had a tough time when I come here.

“There were a few days where I thought that could be it there [at the Roosters]. I was raised there, it’s the club I love. It was a difficult few days. I’m grateful I’m still here and I’m looking forward to making amends in the near future.

“My missus isn’t too happy – we’ve canned the wedding now at the end of next year. You know how expensive they are. She’s got my back at the minute.”

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