In a stunning contract twist, Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to feature in next month’s Olympics in Paris before being granted an early release from his Rugby Australia to join the Sydney Roosters’ NRL finals push.
After being excluded from Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad for the July Tests, the World Cup Wallaby has faced a tug-of-war between John Manenti’s national sevens program and his new NRL employers the Roosters.
With the Roosters’ depth being pushed after a couple of suspensions to Junior Pauga and Waratahs-bound Joseph Suaalii, as well as Billy Smith and two others, Trent Robinson had attempted to buy Nawaqanitawase out of the final six months of his contract with RA.
But standing in the way of an early release is Manenti’s ambitions of medalling at next month’s Paris Games, with Nawaqanitawase’s finishing ability, aerial prowess and unique skill to free his arms offering the men’s program a point of difference.
After featuring at last year’s World Cup, Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to feature at the Olympics before jumping ship to the Sydney Roosters. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Nawaqanitawase, along with the Wallabies’ most-capped captain Michael Hooper, took part in a five-day training camp in Darwin earlier in the week to try and convince Manenti of their credentials.
It’s believed Nawaqanitawase, who burst onto the global stage in compelling fashion during the 2022 Spring Tour, where he scored a match-winning double against Wales in Cardiff following strong outings against Italy and Ireland, has proven he’s fit and ready to return to the sevens side.
It comes after a series of unofficial matches in Fiji.
Along with the Brumbies’ Corey Toole, the duo will give Manenti some pace and X-factor in a highly competitive competition, which will see French captain Antoine Dupont and Ireland fullback Hugo Keegan switch to sevens to try and boost their country’s hopes.
Manenti will name his 12-man squad for Paris on Wednesday, with two more players brought in case of injury.
Australia will have 10 days to prepare in Paris before they start their campaign on July 25 at the Stade de France.
Once Nawaqanitawase finishes his time with the sevens team, it’s believed he will then join the Roosters.
For that to occur, the Roosters will need sign-off from the NRL by Monday’s July 1 deadline.
Nine months after he featured for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup, the contracting twist could allow Nawaqanitawase to push for an extraordinary Olympic medal and NRL ring double.
Christy Doranhttps://https://ift.tt/pOPqUS4 star set for Olympics and NRL push in stunning contract twist
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