Rugby door still open for Nawaqanitawase, but Schmidt sounds note of caution

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has not closed the door on cross-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase, but warned he will face stiff competition for a place should he decide to return to rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Schmidt has kept a close eye on Nawaqanitawase’s impressive form for the Roosters this season in the NRL, where he has scored 23 tries from 22 games including a hat-trick against the Rabbitohs last Friday at Allianz Stadium, where the Wallabies take on Argentina on Saturday.

“Mark Nawaqanitawase is a guy that we’ve kept our eye on for sure, he’s certainly scored some pretty impressive tries for the Roosters,” Schmidt said.

“I don’t think we discount anyone in terms of players who have either been in the gold jersey previously or have come through the school system and potentially would like to be back involved with rugby union.

“Just because there’s so much talent among some of those players, and his athleticism in the air is not too different from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

“To have athletes like that, it’s always something that would add value. But at the same time, we’ve got guys who’ve stayed invested in rugby union.

“Max Jorgensen has been outstanding. Corey Toole has come through and his two Tests have been really impressive. Harry Potter, before he got injured, was playing really well. Dylan Pietsch brings a real physical edge out wide.”

Schmidt also said that the decision to return to rugby for a potential tilt at the World Cup would ultimately rest with Nawaqanitawase alone.

“There’s a few guys floating around that have been in the rugby union production line who I don’t think Rugby Australia have closed the door on either,” Schmidt said.

“A lot of that rests in Mark’s court as to what he does next, I haven’t spoken to Trent [Robinson] about it. I’m not sure Trent is looking to let him go at this stage, either.”

The Wallabies are looking to continue their resurgent form against Los Pumas on Saturday, with Schmidt turning to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to help fill Will Skelton’s size 19 boots following the giant second-rower’s return to La Rochelle.

The Reds second-rower last played for the Wallabies last November against Ireland in Dublin, but impressed coach Joe Schmidt with outstanding performances against the British and Irish Lions for the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika XV, and has been named on the bench in Sydney.

Salakaia-Loto gets his opportunity with Nick Frost rested after starting 21 consecutive games for the Brumbies and the Wallabies this season, allowing Jeremy Williams to move into the starting line-up.

Salakaia-Loto can also play in the back row, giving the Wallabies flexibility against a motivated Pumas squad who have been talking of la revancha, or revenge, this week after suffering a last-gasp defeat in Townsville last weekend.

Tane Edmed wins a debut start at five-eighth in his home town after previously struggling to get game time for the Waratahs in Super Rugby. Edmed will link up with Reds inside centre Hunter Paisami, who last played for the Wallabies against Georgia in Sydney last July.

Len Ikitau is rested after starting every Test for the Wallabies this season and averaging 73 minutes, allowing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to work with a new partner in the centres.

James O’Connor will provide backline cover on the bench alongside Filipo Daugunu, though it remains unclear whether the playmaker will stay with the Wallabies after Saturday’s Test or move to his new club Leicester as originally planned.

Schmidt, who spoke to Leicester coach Geoff Parling on Thursday, said discussions were continuing on the O’Connor’s availability, while the New Zealander also remains focused on providing more Test experience to his existing five-eighths.

“We talked briefly about James, and I think for us it’s just about getting to the end of Saturday and then having another discussion just around who we have in terms of our 10s,” Schmidt said.

“We’ve got a very short-term focus but a long-term vision, and part of that long-term vision is by the time we get to 2027 World Cup, we need some players who’ve got experience at 10. I’m not saying that James can’t play all the way through there, but we’ve got some young 10s who we know would benefit from the experiences of pressure-cooker Test matches.”

Saturday’s Test against Argentina will be the last sporting event to take place at Allianz Stadium before 10 weeks of work to fix significant drainage issues on the field.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, readings taken at 11am on Thursday showed 131 millimetres of rain had fallen at Sydney’s Observatory Hill this week.

The Wallabies have had to move Friday’s captain’s run to protect the Allianz Stadium turf, but Schmidt is confident there won’t be issues with the pitch come Saturday.

“The forecast is for it to clear up this afternoon and then to be fine tomorrow and fine the following day,” Schmidt said. “So not too much breeze around, that would help, but probably just enough to shift the air and dry things out a little bit, and that’s what we’re hoping for.”

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