Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made the extraordinary claim that Mark Nawaqanitawase needs to “re-learn” the nuances of rugby as Australian selectors “keep an eye” on the super talent ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Rather than welcome the dual international back ahead of his much-hyped return to the 15-man code, Kiss on Thursday said the Wallabies had “plenty of good options” before needing to roll out the red carpet for Nawaqanitawase.
Whether or not Kiss and Rugby Australia are peeved about the wing sensation’s agent this week saying Nawaqanitawase was also considering representing Italy or Fiji at the 2027 global showpiece, Kiss’s nonchalance will be music to the ears of NRL boss Peter V’landys.
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The former NSW Waratahs and Wallabies star proved himself as a generational talent during his two-year stint in rugby league, helping Australia win an Ashes series, NSW the State of Origin trophy back and the Sydney Roosters a first premiership since 2019.
The 26-year-old finished his first NRL stint with a phenomenal strike rate of 49 four-pointers from 49 games — the 2025 try of the season among his freakish haul — as well as two in the Roosters’ 19-18 grand final triumph over Newcastle.
Yet Kiss, perhaps trying to keep the rest of the Wallabies wingers sweet, says the Japan-bound Nawaqanitawase has work to do before earning a Test recall in 2027.
“He’s been out of rugby for a little while now,” Kiss said ahead of Australia’s Bledisloe Cup return bout against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.
“He’s keen to be involved at the right time — and being involved means getting back into rugby, getting to understand the game a little bit better and so, at this stage, we support him in what he does.
“For us, we’ve got plenty of good options and we’re going to focus on those.”
Under World Rugby laws, Nawaqanitawase will be eligible for Italy, through his grandmother, or Fiji, through his father, as of August next year.
But if he chooses to switch allegiances, he would not be allowed to represent Australia ever again.
The free agent will reportedly earn $3 million over two years playing for Saitama Wild Knights in Japan’s League One under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
If he does opt to play for the Wallabies at the World Cup, Nawaqanitawase, because he is not contracted with Rugby Australia or an Australian Super Rugby franchise, would only receive match payments for the tournament.
By throwing out the possibility of playing for Italy or Fiji, his agent is seemingly looking to lure more money for Nawaqanitawase from the eligible countries.
Whatever the motive, Kiss is refusing to move heaven and earth to have him.
“He hasn’t trained for the last three weeks. I mean, he’s had a good time and he’s got to have a break as well,” Kiss said.
“So he’s going to get those things underway and get back into rugby. There’s a lot of things and nuances in the game that are quite different (to rugby league).
“So he’s going to make sure he gets that right, and and we’ll look at him going forward.”
Pressed on whether or not he thought Nawaqainitawase would be in Wallabies gold at the 2027 World Cup, Kiss said: “Everyone will earn their way”.
“If he’s playing good footy, he’ll be in the mix. That’s for sure.
“There’s no doubt he’s a quality player that we’ll keep an eye on.
“But, first and foremost, get his rest, get himself together and get into some rugby back in Japan. It’s a different game in terms of height and how you attack the game, how you move in the game, how you defend, how the aerial game is different.
“So he’s got a lot of things just to re-learn. Won’t take him long, that’s for sure. But there’s been some positive dialogue between myself and him.”
