Harry Wilson is confident Mark Nawaqanitawase will pick the Wallabies over Jake White’s Fiji.
The winger’s international future is still up in the air, and while Nawaqanitawase’s immediate priority is settling into Japanese club rugby, a return to the Wallabies is not guaranteed. He could instead switch allegiance to Fiji, through his father’s heritage, or Italy.
The 26-year-old represented Australia in rugby league and played for the NSW Blues in State of Origin. He also scored twice in the Sydney Roosters’ grand final victory over the Newcastle Knights.
Before switching codes, Nawaqanitawase won 11 caps for the Wallabies and represented Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
However, his agent said earlier this week that the winger was weighing up a possible change of international allegiance. He is eligible to represent Fiji or Italy after completing World Rugby’s three-year stand-down period.
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Wilson, who played alongside Nawaqanitawase for Australia U20 and the Wallabies, is not concerned though.
“I don’t think I have to convince him,” Wilson said ahead of Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.
“I played Junior Wallabies with him, played Wallabies with him, and saw him last night supporting the Kangaroos. So, I think it’s pretty obvious who he wants to play for.”
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Coach Les Kiss struck a more cautious tone, saying discussions with Nawaqanitawase would continue before a decision is made.
“We’ve had a couple of chats and, as I’ve said, I’ll wait until the end of the year to see where he sits,” Kiss said. “He’s had a big year, a fantastic year, hasn’t he? The conversations have been about making sure we do what’s right for him.”
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The post Wilson: Code-hopper will choose Wallabies appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Harry Wilson is confident Mark Nawaqanitawase will pick the Wallabies over Jake White’s Fiji.
The post Wilson: Code-hopper will choose Wallabies appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
