The civil war between rugby league and rugby union is set to intensify with the Roosters reportedly to announce in the coming days they’ve signed Wallabies and Waratahs star Mark Nawaqanitawase to a two-year deal.
The Roosters will lose star outside back Joseph Suaalii to rugby union after the 2024 season, meaning Nawaqanitawase’s arrival will essentially be a straight swap.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Nawaqanitawase is set to sign a two-year deal with the Roosters for 2025 and 2026.
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The 23-year-old Nawaqanitawase was one of the rare highlights for the Wallabies during their underwhelming World Cup campaign, so it’s undoubtedly a huge blow to rugby union, who will lose one of their more promising players for at least two years.
Nawaqanitawase played rugby league until he was 14 years old before shifting his focus to union. He has played in 11 Tests for the Wallabies and 45 games for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby competition.
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The shock signing is the first since NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo discussed giving the green light to granting salary cap exemptions to clubs who recruit players from rival codes.
A winger for the Wallabies and Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase boasts a skillset which should lend itself well to rugby league.
Players such as Wendell Sailor, Israel Folau, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri are some of the more famed cross-code defectors before Nawaqanitawase, but unlike the Wallabies winger, those four players all converted from league to union.
COWBOYS RISING STAR’S $600K DECISION
The Cowboys are reportedly at risk of losing young gun back rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki amid a three-club race for his signature.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting both the Dragons and Dolphins are set to make a play for the 19-year-old’s services.
The emerging star could reportedly fetch around $600,000-per-season should he take the highest effort tabled to his management.
Reports also suggest any contract tabled could be staggered, with his salary for the 2024 season lower before he receives a hefty increase by the end of his potential deal.
Finefeuiaki has started only a singular game, playing in the backrow against the Titans in Round 22, while his other 11 appearances came off the bench.
The young gun has played only 333 minutes in the NRL, but clubs are reportedly still ready to recruit him after his strong showings in North Queensland.
Finefeuiaki was damaging off the bench, forcing the Cowboys to make a big decision regarding which young talent they allow to leave.
Finefeuiaki is only 19 and comes off contract at the end of the 2024 season, while 22-year-old Heilum Luki is reportedly also on the radar of rivals.
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Todd Payten has Jeremiah Nanai and Luciano Leilua at his disposal as starting backrowers, while young guns Wil Sullivan and Jamal Shibasaki are reportedly also coming through the ranks.
Despite a clear logjam of talent recruitment chief Michael Luck said the club “are not looking to offload any of them”.
He also made it clear he wasn’t surprised that clubs were prepared to table offers to Finefeuiaki after a breakout season in 2023.
“No doubt he has got some potential,” Luck said.
VETERAN’S FUME OVER WARRIORS’ PURSUIT OF CAPEWELL
Warriors chief executive Cameron George has revealed his club aren’t confident they will recruit Broncos veteran Kurt Capewell for the 2024 season.
The 30-year-old only has a singular season left on his deal in Brisbane and has reportedly been informed he won’t be extended beyond 2024.
The Warriors have been pushing for Capewell’s immediate release and have reportedly tabled a three-year deal, with George revealed he’s “not confident” he can his services for 2024.
“The option is there if him and his Brisbane want to look at those, it’s up to him, where he’s at with his longer-term future, we’ve certainly expressed our interest,” George said on SEN.
“He’s got a year to go with the Broncos and they’ve got to have that discussion.
“If he wants to come and talk to us about this year we’re certainly willing to but we respect the fact that he has a contract with Brisbane.”
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He also revealed that the Warriors’ offer was still on the cards for the 2025 season and beyond amid emerging frustrations at Red Hill.
“We’ve (offered) a longer-term option here for him, he’s on the market for 2025 and that’s what we’re looking at,” George said.
“If that was to eventuate and him and Brisbane decided that there an option for this year for us to talk about, we’d be happy to do that.
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WWOS is reporting Capewell’s early exit has been with anger by a group of senior players who believe the former Panther was instrumental in their finals charge in 2023.
Kevin Walters outfit came desperately close to lifting the trophy, before superstar halfback Nathan Cleary delivered a second half masterclass.
Senior figures reportedly believe his cool head and experience played a big role in the Broncos success.
Therefore, they were shocked that club powerbrokers were even considering cutting him loose for the 2024 season.
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