Who is next on NRL hit list for rugby stars after Nawaqanitawase’s defection?

One Super Rugby player is already in discussions with the Dragons about a mid-season switch. See who else is in the firing lines as NRL clubs circle.

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - AUGUST 31: Max Jorgensen during a training session ahead of the Rugby World Cup France 2023, at Stade Roger Baudras on August 31, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

He is the one rugby could not afford to let slip away.

In the doom and gloom of 2023, Mark Nawaqanitawase offered a glimmer of hope for the Wallabies with his dazzling play at the Rugby World Cup.

He stood up when others failed.

And now, the worry for an embattled Rugby Australia is that the 23-year-old star winger will only be the first in a domino line of crucial players to defect to the NRL.

If you offered each NRL club the chance to sign one Wallaby after the World Cup, they all would have put their hand up for Nawaqanitawase. Now, the Roosters have got him.

But with the NRL set to introduce salary cap dispensation for clubs who sign Wallabies, this won’t be the last poaching we see.

Mark Nawaqanitawase of Australia scores his team's first try against Fiji at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in September. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Max Jorgensen is already another rising rugby star in the Roosters’ sights. He has yet to play a Test but was in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad because he is a future champion in the Test arena.

The 19-year-old has grown up playing both codes, like his father Peter, and will be in demand from several NRL clubs.

We can also reveal that it’s not only Australian players who are in the sights of league clubs.

New Zealand Super Rugby backrower Hugh Renton is in talks with St George Illawarra Dragons about a potential mid-season switch.

The 27-year-old, who plays for the Highlanders, is known for his aggressive style and if a deal is sorted, he’d be available for the Dragons after the Super season finishes in June.

Of the most obvious Wallabies to target, Nawaqanitawase’s close friend Jordan Petaia stands out.

Petaia is a dangerous ballrunner with a powerful fend, who was touted as the heir apparent to Israel Folau but has failed to reach those heights just yet.

But at just 23, his best football is ahead of him, and his contract with RA expires at the end of 2024.

Jordan Petaia of Australia looks after the final whistle of the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Fiji. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images.

Tom Wright is one player NRL clubs could target. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Tom Wright is another outside back NRL clubs would look at, primarily because he’s played in the competition previously with Manly Sea Eagles.

While he is contracted to RA until the end of 2025, his sheer speed and line-breaking ability is likely to interest suitors.

Of the next generation Wallabies, two players stand out.

Billy Pollard and Luke Reimer both played league growing up, but signed professional contracts with rugby.

Pollard is signed with RA until the end of 2025, but prior to committing with rugby he’d met with South Sydney Rabbitohs and mastermind coach Wayne Bennett.

The Brumbies hooker is only 21 years old, and in two years’ time would be in prime physical shape to revert to league as a backrower.

Luke Reimer is signed for the Brumbies until the end of 2024, but could explore his options after that. Picture: Karen Watson / Warringah Rats

The only issue is how much time he’ll spend over the next two seasons finetuning his set-piece skills, essential for a rugby hooker, and how much he’d lose as a hard-running potential league backrower because of it.

Reimer had interest from Parramatta Eels before he re-signed with the Brumbies until the end of 2024.

The impressive 23-year-old backrower will be a target of league clubs if he continues his rate of progression in the 15-man code.

The Wallabies other best players, Angus Bell and Rob Valetini, are signed with RA until the end of 2027, so will be safe from the clutches of NRL clubs until the World Cup is played.

Originally published as Who is next on NRL hit list for rugby stars after Nawaqanitawase’s defection?