CROSS-CODE STAR NAWAQANITAWASE TO LEAVE SYDNEY ROOSTERS FOR JAPAN
Rugby cross-code sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase will depart the Sydney Roosters at the end of the 2026 NRL season to join Japanese rugby union side Saitama Wild Knights, bringing to a close a four-year tenure with the Australian club.
The Wild Knights confirmed the signing in an official statement, where Nawaqanitawase spoke warmly of his upcoming move and the prestige of his new team. “They are a very strong team that has experienced a lot of success and it is a club which carries a rich history,” he said. “I am looking forward to becoming part of the Wild Knights and I am looking forward to what we can build together in the future.”
While the Japanese club has not publicly disclosed the contract duration, Australian media outlets report that the 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a lucrative two-year deal. Despite securing his future in Japan, Nawaqanitawase remains fully committed to the Roosters and will see out the entire 2026 NRL campaign before making the switch from league to union.
In an interview with Australian sports platform CODE Sports, he emphasized his determination to deliver silverware to the Roosters before his departure. “I want to walk out of here with a premiership with the lads,” he stated, highlighting his loyalty to teammates and fans who have supported him throughout his time at the club.
At Saitama Wild Knights, Nawaqanitawase will link up with fellow Pacific Islander talent Marika Koroibete – the former Australian Wallabies winger who was born in Fiji. The pairing is expected to strengthen the Wild Knights’ backline and add international quality to their squad.
Based in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, the Wild Knights have a storied heritage dating back to 1960, when they were founded by students and workers from the now-defunct electronics manufacturer Sanyo. The club has established itself as one of Japan’s most successful rugby union teams, with a track record of domestic titles and a reputation for attracting top global talent.
Roosters officials have expressed pride in Nawaqanitawase’s development during his time at the club and wished him every success in his next chapter.
