The Roosters have ramped up their bid for Wallabies and Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase as the next potential rugby union target for a code switch was revealed.
The Daily Telegraph reported Nawaqanitawase has met with Roosters powerbrokers as the NRL prepares to give the green light on salary cap relief for clubs chasing cross-code stars.
Nawaqanitawase met with head coach Trent Robinson and Roosters boss Nick Politis on Tuesday in Sydney as the club closes in on their Joseph Suaalii revenge mission.
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Rugby Australia poached Suaalii on a three-year deal worth $4.8 million from 2025 and he will depart the Roosters at the end of the 2024 season.
Nawaqanitawase is signed to rugby union in 2024, but would be a straight swap with Suaalii the following year and is expected to fill the wing spot left by Daniel Tupou’s expected retirement.
The 23-year-old Wallabies winger has scored 27 tries in 45 games for the Waratahs and five tries in 11 Tests for Australia since his debut season in 2020.
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Given he was one of the Wallabies’ best players over the last year including at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Nawaqanitawase’s defection could open the floodgates if clubs get salary cap exemptions to chase players from rival sports.
The Telegraph reported neither Rugby Australia or the Waratahs are currently in contract talks with Nawaqanitawase, despite RA CEO Phil Waugh declaring he was a key part of the code’s future.
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Losing a player of Nawaqanitawase’s ability would be a huge blow to the Wallabies ahead of the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025 and home World Cup in 2027.
The Telegraph reported potential salary cap relief for NRL clubs could make Nawaqanitawase’s teammate Max Jorgensen the next rugby target for a code switch.
The son of former Roosters and Penrith winger Peter Jorgensen is a an exciting fullback, who can also play wing and was part of the Wallabies’ 2023 World Cup squad before injury cut short his campaign.
The 19-year-old was being chased by the Roosters and Bulldogs before he inked a two-year deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia, which expires in 2024.
Jorgensen is one the comeback trial from a fractured fibula, but could command as much as $1 million per season on his next deal from 2025.
Jorgensen has scored four tries in 11 games for the Waratahs in his rookie season in 2023, before injury cut short his campaign.
