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Live sport on SN this weekendGoing viral: Nawaqanitawase for the Kangaroos?
Sam Kosack • August 24th, 2025 8:00 pm
Mark Nawaqanitawase continues to push for an end-of-season Kangaroos debut after another outrageous display of skill in the Roosters’ loss to the Eels.
Nawaqanitawase, who represented the Wallabies on 11 occasions, is pushing to become the 49th dual-code international, and the latest since Karmichael Hunt in 2017.
Since his switch to rugby league and the Roosters, the former Union winger has produced feats rarely seen in the NRL, including an early-season try of the year contender described by immortal Andrew Johns as “freakish”.
Despite the Roosters’ 30-10 loss to the Eels, Nawaqanitawase still impressed with 126 metres, a try, six tackle breaks, and two try assists, including an incredible Benji Marshall-esque flick pass that set up Robert Toia.
The pass that has lit up social media has seen Nawaqanitawase described as a "harlem globetrotter" by Fox League's Dan Ginnane.
Embedded content: https://x.com/NRL/status/1959213136906502463
SEN’s Jimmy Smith thinks Nawaqanitawase is ready to make his Kangaroos debut in Australia’s Ashes tour against England after only one full season in the NRL.
“Tell me whether I'm crazy about this… would Mark Nawaqanitawase look out of place in a green and gold jersey in an Ashes series?,” Smith asked on SEN 1170.
“Xavier Coates is the best winger in the league, I believe now. He's eligible to play for Australia, has played for Australia, so he'll play for Australia.
“Zac Lomax (will be picked), Brian To’o (will represent) Samoa.
“You could play him at fullback if you needed to.”
NRL great Adam Blair believes Nawaqanitawase is a must-pick, with his unique skill set lending itself to the English conditions.
“I think you'd be silly not to chuck them in there,” Blair said on SEN 1170.
“He'd be in consideration.
“You’d be having that conversation with your staff and where you could fit him into the team.
“Get him over there, and the weather that they have and the way the game's played differently just slowly, I think he could be a point of difference for that Aussie team.”
Nawaqanitawase also has Fijian heritage and could play for Fiji in the Pacific Bowl should he not be selected for the Kangaroos.
