Nawaqanitawase set to play for Wallabies at 2027 Rugby World Cup

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 04:32 · Archive

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson says Mark Nawaqanitawase will represent Australia at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, dismissing talk of him switching to Italy or Fiji.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has dismissed talk of Mark Nawaqanitawase playing for any country other than Australia at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Nawaqanitawase's manager this week suggested the cross-code star might choose to represent Italy, through his grandmother, or Fiji, to honour his father's heritage. However, World Rugby law means that if he switched allegiances after his 11 Test appearances for Australia in 2022-23, he would not be allowed to wear the Wallabies gold ever again.

Nawaqanitawase, the newly-crowned NRL premiership winner, is moving to Japan on a two-year deal reportedly worth $3 million to play for the Saitama Wild Knights under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. Wilson expressed confidence in the player's commitment to Australia after watching him support the Kangaroos at their Rugby League World Cup win over New Zealand on Thursday night. 'I don't have to convince him,' Wilson said ahead of the Wallabies' second Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks on Saturday. 'I think it's pretty obvious who he wants to play for.' The speculation over Nawaqanitawase's international future appears to have ended.

How it is being reported

• 'Pretty obvious': Nawaqanitawase back for the WallabiesThe Wallabies have dismissed talk of cross-code superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase wearing any other colours than Australian gold at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.Perth Now · 16 Oct, 03:55
• 'Pretty obvious': Nawaqanitawase back for the WallabiesThe Wallabies have dismissed talk of cross-code superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase wearing any other colours than Australian gold at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.The West Australian · 16 Oct, 03:55

In this story: Mark Nawaqanitawase · Harry Wilson · Australia · Wallabies · Italy · Fiji · Japan

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem