Wallabies star granted early release to join the Roosters - but don't expect to see him in the NRL anytime soon
Story by Martin Gabor For Nca Newswire and Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia
The Roosters have confirmed rugby union star Mark Nawaqanitawase has been granted a release from his contract and will be eligible to join the Tricolours once his Rugby Sevens commitments conclude at the Olympics in Paris.
Nawaqanitawase, 23, signed a two-year deal last December to join the Roosters in 2025, but after being left out of the Wallabies squad for this month's Tests, there has been a push for him to speed up the process so he can spend some time in rugby league this season.
That push was confirmed on Tuesday with the club announcing that he's taken the final spot in their top-30 roster - but Roosters fans shouldn't expect him to be rushed into the NRL this season.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson stressed his star recruit would need plenty of time to get used to the new footy code, with Nawaqanitawase likely to spend time in NSW Cup this year.
He doubled down on that in a statement, with the former Wallaby flyer to spend plenty of time learning the finer details of what it takes to make it in rugby league.
The Roosters have some incredibly talented players for him to learn off quickly, with Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii going the opposite way to rugby union next year.
'While Mark will be taking the final spot in our roster for 2024, our focus won't be on rushing him into the NRL - but about fast-tracking his transition into rugby league,' Robinson said.
'We are looking forward to officially welcoming Mark to the Roosters next month and we wish him all the very best in his representative duties at the Olympics.
'Bonne chance (Good luck)!'
Nawaqanitawase made his Test debut in November of 2022 against Italy in a 28-27 defeat.
A fortnight later he scored two tries against Wales, leading the Wallabies to a 39-34 victory.
Fellow Wallaby Carter Gordon has also jumped ship to the NRL, inking a two-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans from 2025 onwards.
