The Roosters have been handed a hammer blow, with star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase reportedly informing the club he will be leaving the club at the end of the 2026 season.
According to the SMH, Nawaqanitawase will leave rugby league to make a rugby union return in time for a home World Cup in 2027.
The 25-year-old has been one of the Tricolours best players in his debut NRL campaign, having joined the Roosters after his time with the Australian rugby sevens team at the Paris Olympics came to an end in 2024.
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Nawaqanitawase reportedly told club powerbrokers his dream was to represent the Wallabies at the World Cup, snubbing a potential extension.
The gun flyer will reportedly sign with an overseas rugby union franchise once his contract with the Roosters comes to an end, instead of joining an Australian super rugby franchise.
Nawaqanitawase will still be eligible to play for the Wallabies after the Giteau rule was wiped in August.
However, despite his looming departure, the Roosters are reportedly confident he will return to the NRL after his stint with the 15-man code, according to Code Sports.
The Tricolours reportedly tabled a deal worth around $700,000 per-season to retain him, while Nawaqanitawase could be set to earn $1 million in European rugby.
“We were given an indication weeks ago that Mark wanted to go back to rugby union and we respected his wishes. However we are extremely confident he will return to the Roosters after the Rugby World Cup,” a Roosters official told News Corp.
The superstar winger is also reportedly set to be named in the Kangaroos 22-man squad to tour England in the upcoming Ashes series, and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys reportedly has no issues with his selection.
He will reportedly compete with both Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates for a spot in the starting side.
The Roosters, meanwhile, harbour no ill will towards Nawaqanitawase after he and his manager were upfront throughout contract negotiations.
The club are said to be considerably more comfortable with his decision than former flyer Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who made the switch to rugby union after the 2024 season.
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