How the Sydney Roosters poached Mark Nawaqanitawase from Rugby Australia revealed

Six weeks ago, at a fine-dining restarurant in Darlinghurst, Roosters boss Nick Politis sat down with Mark Nawaqanitawase – and the rest is now history. Here’s what happened.

Mark Nawaqanitawase would have been paid $300,000 more if he stayed in Australian rugby. Instead he will try his hand at the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

Six weeks ago, at Darlinghurst’s fine-dining restaurant Beppi’s, the genesis of the most audacious union-to-league defection was hatched.

Roosters boss Nick Politis, Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase, some board members and other officials discussed life in general.

There was no formal offer.

As the pasta and seafood was served, the group talked about property investment, setting yourself up for life after football, and got to know Nawaqanitawase as a person.

They found him intelligent, articulate and polite. They were already well aware of his athletic prowess.

Soon after, the offer came through and Rugby Australia was officially on notice that one of its best stars was considering a switch to the NRL.

Unbeknown to both parties, Nawaqanitawase already had a multimillion-dollar offer on the table from a Japanese club.

It was upwards of $3 million over three years.

Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase is joining NRL club Sydney Roosters in 2025.

Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis met Nawaqanitawase six weeks ago, over dinner at Darlinghurst’s fine-dining restaurant Beppi’s. Not long after, an offer was on the table.. Picture: Toby Zerna

Neither the Roosters nor RA were going to come close to that vicinity with their offers but this decision was about much more than money.

It was a chance for Nawaqanitawase to test himself like few Wallabies have ever done in history, and certainly not in the modern era.

With just 11 Tests to his name, the 23-year-old made the call to challenge himself in the toughest domestic competition in Australia.

He gave up a bigger offer from RA to settle for $450,000 a year over two years to join the Roosters.

Nawaqanitawase would have been paid $300,000 more if he stayed in Australian rugby. He will earn around $2.6 million less by rejecting the Japanese offer.

It is a remarkable conclusion.

Mark Nawaqanitawase will be at the Roosters for 2025 and 2026 and still have the opportunity to return to Union in time for the 2027 World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Now compare the NRL’s $900,000 deal to secure the Wallabies’ most exciting back, to the mountain of money splashed by RA to secure Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Suaalii’s deal is valued at $5.35 million over three years – $1.6 million in 2025, $1.8 million in 2026 and $1.95 million in 2027.

It is the richest contract ever signed in Australian rugby.

There is a $4.45 million gulf, albeit with a one-year difference in contract length.

And because Nawaqanitawase’s two-year deal with the Roosters runs from 2025-26, he will have the opportunity to return to union in time for the 2027 World Cup to be hosted by Australia.

Having partaken in the disastrous 2023 campaign orchestrated by coach Eddie Jones, it will be the furthest thing from Nawaqanitawase’s mind right now.

However, it is extraordinary just how this year has unravelled for Australian rugby.

Former chairman Hamish McLennan and the RA board made the bold call in January to sack Dave Rennie and bring Jones in as Wallabies coach.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s rugby deal is worth $5.35 million over three years, $4.45m more than Nawaqanitawase’s $900k two-year deal at the Roosters.

McLennan then drove the multimillion-dollar poaching of Suaalii.

During the World Cup it emerged Jones had been in talks with Japan about its head coaching role, despite being contracted to RA for five years.

After the Wallabies’ embarrassing exit in the pool stage, Jones resigned.

Soon after, McLennan was ousted as chairman following a revolt by the states and former Wallaby Daniel Herbert was installed at the helm.

Now Jones has held a second interview with Japan rugby officials about the coaching job.

Two candidates remain for the role; Jones and South African Frans Ludeke.

A decision is expected to be made next week.

Originally published as How the Sydney Roosters poached Mark Nawaqanitawase from Rugby Australia revealed