Storm erupts over NRL club’s raid on Wallabies talent

Australian rugby is bracing for another blow with an NRL `club set to make a play for a Wallabies rising star.

Joseph Suaalii and Mark Nawaqanitawase.

This time it’s personal.

The Roosters are reportedly preparing to launch a raid on Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase — just month after Joseph Suaalii jumped ship.

The Sydney Morning Herald first reported Roosters boss Trent Robinson will meet with Nawaqanitawase next week in a potential revenge mission for Suaalii’s defection to Rugby Australia.

Nawaqanitawase was one of the Wallabies’ best and brightest stars over the last two seasons and was a starter in their failed 2023 World Cup campaign.

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However, he heads into 2024 on the final year of his contract with Rugby Australia and has been non-commital when previously asked about his future.

According to reports, the Roosters have had an eye on the 23-year-old for some time

“In a perfect world I’d like to stay [in rugby], but there’s always a but, he told The SMH earlier this year.

“There’s obviously other things out there that might interest me.”

The Roosters are well stocked with outside backs in 2024 with former Knights star Dom Young joining the club, foxsports.com.au reports.

Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to meet with the Roosters next week.

The Roosters already have Daniel Tupou and Junior Pauga on their books for 2024, but the former is tipped to move on, while Suaalii will switch to rugby after next season.

Nawaqanitawase, 23, has scored 27 tries in 45 games for the Waratahs and five tries in 11 Tests for Australia since making his debut in 2022.

Nawaqanitawase’s potential defection would be a massive blow for rugby union who are trying to bounce back from a horror season under now departed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

Nawaqanitawase would likely play wing while he learns the sport, but could be an option at fullback down the line when James Tedesco hangs up the boots.

The Roar reports Rugby Australia has already played into the Roosters hands on multiple levels.

The record $1.5 per-season deal signed by Suaalii has inflated the Australian rugby player market and it could mean the Roosters are able to provide a richer offer.

The 15-man code’s decision to only extend Nawaqanitawase’s deal by 12 months earlier this year has further opened the door for the Roosters to strike.

Suaalii signed a mammoth three-year deal worth almost $5 million in March, with the contract beginning after his Roosters deal expires in 2024.

There was speculation in September Suaalii could be looking to get out of his rich deal as a result of the Wallabies being a basketcase this year.

Under Eddie Jones’ trainwreck tenure the Wallabies failed to make it out of the group stage at the 2023 World Cup — the first time Australia has ever suffered that embarrassment.