‘Form winger in the comp’: Mark Nawaqanitawase closes in on Kangaroos debut as twist emerges in rookie of the year race

Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase may be ineligible to win the Dally M Rookie of the Year award, but there’s nothing in the rule book to stop him from winning the Rugby League Players Association version of the award as the try-scoring machine closes in on a Kangaroos jersey for the Ashes tour.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed earlier in the year that Nawaqanitawase couldn’t win the award given he’d represented the Wallabies and played sevens for Australia at the Olympics.

“The commission had made a policy change decision around the eligibility for rookie of the year, and I think it’s contemporary and hasn’t been looked at for a while,” he said.

“The decision was really simple. It (the award) is meant for genuine rookies, so players that are coming through pathways systems, and not for players that have got significant experience, even if it’s in other sports.”

Teammate Connor Watson said at the time that it was cool to see the high-flying winger force a mid-season rule change, but the RLPA has confirmed to the NewsWire that Nawaqanitawase can win its rookie of the year award just as former sevens star Gayle Broughton did in 2022.

“I’m not here for the individual awards,” Nawaqanitawase said.

“It was funny what Connor said, but they can do whatever they want. I’m just here to win games and hopefully win a premiership.

“Being known as the one of the guys they had to change a rule for is pretty cool for a day or two (but it’s not important now).”

While he doesn’t play for individual honours, the cross-code star is on the radar of national selectors after he became the first player to cross 20 times in 2025 with his four-try haul against the Storm last week. Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates are the other wing options for the tour.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s still a bit of a wait until those things happen, so I’m just trying to play my best footy now,” Nawaqanitawase replied when asked about a potential Kangaroos debut a year out from the World Cup.

“I haven’t even thought about it. There have been things going around, but for me, it was about playing footy here first.

“I didn’t even have a starting spot, so it was about me playing footy, hopefully get a starting spot and go from there.”

The Roosters bemoaned the loss of star outside backs Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at the end of last year, but they’ve been blessed by Nawaqanitawase, who has emerged as the best winger in the game.

It’s why Watson wants to see his teammate in the green and gold jersey after watching him produce dazzling moment after dazzling moment this season.

“It’d be great, wouldn’t it? Dual international sounds nice. He’s been the form winger in the comp, so if anyone deserves it, my mate does,” the NSW utility said.

“I keep thinking in games ‘how long can he keep doing this for?’ but he just keeps doing it. I think that’s just him.

“Once he started playing, the talent and skill (were there to see). Some people have got that skill. I’ve gone and shot basketballs with him and he’s sinking threes and dunking the ball, so he’s full of talent and I’m glad we get to play with him.”

The scary thing is that Nawaqanitawase still “has a lot more to give” in a year where he’s exceeded his own expectations, which is why the Roosters are so keen to extend his current contract that expires next year.

Rugby Australia desperately wants him back for the home World Cup in 2027, with a bidding war likely to break out for the man who will be tasked with stopping Souths winger Alex Johnston from becoming the leading try scorer of all time with a hat-trick on Friday night.

“I’ve still got a bit of time to make a decision,” Nawaqanitawase said.

“I’m enjoying my footy at the moment. Those things can be distracting at times, so I’m trying to park that and trying to get through to the end of the year.”