Australia lose a big hope, leaving to join the XIII

Australian winger Mark Navaganitawas, one of the Wallabies’ hopes after their 2023 World Cup debacle, will move to rugby league for two seasons starting in 2025, his future organization the Sydney Roosters announced on Thursday.

“We are delighted to have sealed Mark’s arrival and look forward to welcoming him to our club in 2025.Roosters director of recruitment Daniel Anderson said in a statement.

Navakanitawas (11 caps), who plays for Sydney-based rugby union club Waratahs, has signed a two-season contract with the rugby union side.

XIII Winger goes the opposite way

So, it’s bad news for the Wallabies who are dreaming of a World Cup in France after an unprecedented exit from the group stage. At the age of 23, Mark Navakanitawas was one of those rare Australian delights, playing in all competitions.

“We are disappointed, Mark has been a force to be reckoned with over the last 12 months», Rugby Australia president Bill Walk responded. “However, sides are an area of ​​the game where we have strength… we are confident in our ability to acquire talented wingers of the future.“, he added.

Australian Rugby Union chiefs can reassure themselves by noting in particular that another young winger, Joseph Swali, currently playing for the Roosters, will take the opposite route from Navakanitavas by joining the Varadhas at the end of 2024.

Andrew Fairbairn, Mark Nawaqanitawase’s agent, has also not ruled out the possibility of his client returning to rugby union before the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.

“Hopefully the door remains open for Mark with the Wallabies“, he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

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