Roosters set to sign Wallabies young gun in shock revenge deal

The Sydney Roosters might have just got their revenge, reportedly signing a rising Wallabies star after losing Joseph Suaalii to rugby union.

Mark Nawaqanitawase has been linked to the Sydney Roosters. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The civil war between rugby league and rugby union is set to intensify with the Roosters reportedly to announce in the coming days they’ve signed Wallabies and Waratahs star Mark Nawaqanitawase to a two-year deal.

The Roosters will lose star outside back Joseph Suaalii to rugby union after the 2024 season, meaning Nawaqanitawase’s arrival will essentially be a straight swap.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Nawaqanitawase is set to sign a two-year deal with the Roosters for 2025 and 2026.

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The 23-year-old Nawaqanitawase was one of the rare highlights for the Wallabies during their underwhelming World Cup campaign, so it’s undoubtedly a huge blow to rugby union, who will lose one of their more promising players for at least two years.

Nawaqanitawase played rugby league until he was 14 years old before shifting his focus to union. He has played in 11 Tests for the Wallabies and 45 games for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby competition.

The shock signing is the first since NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo discussed giving the green light to granting salary cap exemptions to clubs who recruit players from rival codes.

A winger for the Wallabies and Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase boasts a skillset which should lend itself well to rugby league.

Players such as Wendell Sailor, Israel Folau, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri are some of the more famed cross-code defectors before Nawaqanitawase, but unlike the Wallabies winger, those four players all converted from league to union.

Mark Nawaqanitawase has been linked to the Sydney Roosters. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Warriors chief executive Cameron George has revealed his club aren’t confident they will recruit Broncos veteran Kurt Capewell for the 2024 season.

The 30-year-old only has a singular season left on his deal in Brisbane and has reportedly been informed he won’t be extended beyond 2024.

The Warriors have been pushing for Capewell’s immediate release and have reportedly tabled a three-year deal, with George revealed he’s “not confident” he can his services for 2024.

“The option is there if him and his Brisbane want to look at those, it’s up to him, where he’s at with his longer-term future, we’ve certainly expressed our interest,” George said on SEN.

“He’s got a year to go with the Broncos and they’ve got to have that discussion.

“If he wants to come and talk to us about this year we’re certainly willing to but we respect the fact that he has a contract with Brisbane.”

Kurt Capewell. Photo Steve Pohlner.

He also revealed that the Warriors’ offer was still on the cards for the 2025 season and beyond amid emerging frustrations at Red Hill.

“We’ve (offered) a longer-term option here for him, he’s on the market for 2025 and that’s what we’re looking at,” George said.

“If that was to eventuate and him and Brisbane decided that there an option for this year for us to talk about, we’d be happy to do that.

WWOS is reporting Capewell’s early exit has been with anger by a group of senior players who believe the former Panther was instrumental in their finals charge in 2023.

Kevin Walters outfit came desperately close to lifting the trophy, before superstar halfback Nathan Cleary delivered a second half masterclass.

Senior figures reportedly believe his cool head and experience played a big role in the Broncos success.

Therefore, they were shocked that club powerbrokers were even considering cutting him loose for the 2024 season.

Originally published as Roosters set to sign Wallabies young gun in shock revenge deal