England Beware: The Australia Try Magician Mark Nawaqanitawase Who Swapped Union for League

From Wallaby Wings to Kangaroo Heights – The Dual-Code Rise of Mark Nawaqanitawase

It’s not often you see a player cross codes and immediately look like he’s been there all along. But Mark Nawaqanitawase isn’t your ordinary athlete. The 25-year-old, who made his Kangaroos debut in the historic Rugby League Ashes revival at Wembley, is already being hailed as one of Australia’s most exciting code-switchers since the days of Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri.

While the headlines from that opening Test focused on Reece Walsh’s lightning footwork and Cameron Munster’s playmaking, those inside the Kangaroos camp know there’s another story brewing on the right flank. Nawaqanitawase’s quiet, powerful presence on debut might have flown under the radar, but England would be foolish to ignore the danger he poses in the next two Tests.

He might be the “new kid” in the green and gold, but he’s already writing his own chapter in the storied history of Australian rugby — one try at a time.

A Switch Few Dared to Make

When Nawaqanitawase left the Waratahs to join the Sydney Roosters in late 2023, it wasn’t just a career change — it was a statement. He became the first active Wallabies player to cross over to rugby league since 2007. It was a bold decision that raised eyebrows in both codes.

But if anyone was built for the challenge, it was Nawaqanitawase. Having grown up playing both sports at Concord-Burwood Wolves and Leichhardt Wanderers in Sydney, league was hardly foreign territory. What surprised everyone wasn’t that he made the switch — it was how seamless it looked once he did.

By the time the 2025 NRL season wrapped up, he had racked up 24 tries in 23 games — a record that would make even seasoned wingers blush. He had gone from a one-game cameo in 2024 to becoming the Dally M Rookie of the Year just 12 months later.

Those who doubted whether a Wallaby could adapt to the 13-man code have had their answer.

Athleticism, Power, and That Try of the Season

If there’s one clip that sums up Nawaqanitawase’s brilliance, it’s his try against the Bulldogs back in May. It was the kind of effort that makes commentators lose their voices and fans leap off their sofas.

First, he brushed off Matt Burton with a ferocious fend. Then, somehow, while teetering on the edge of the touchline, he chipped the ball ahead with his left foot — his right still planted on the grass like a ballet dancer’s anchor. He chased, gathered, and grounded it with millimetres to spare.

It defied physics, logic, and probably a few coaching diagrams.

That try was pure Nawaqanitawase — a mix of power, balance, and the instinct of a natural finisher. At 6ft 2in, he carries his frame with lean muscle and grace, a rare blend that makes him both a nightmare to tackle and a joy to watch.

From Union Habits to League Instincts

Transitioning from union to league isn’t just about learning new rules; it’s about rewiring your instincts. The positioning, defensive reads, and pace of the game are all different. Early in his Roosters stint, Nawaqanitawase showed signs of adjustment — particularly under the high ball and in defensive structures. But those teething issues faded fast.

By mid-season, he wasn’t just fitting in — he was excelling. His kick returns were fearless, his carries productive, and his finishing ruthless.

Against England in the first Ashes Test, he showed flashes of why coach Kevin Walters trusted him with a debut. His burst from a Reece Walsh cut-out ball opened the door for Australia’s first try. Later, his relentless runs forced England’s defence to scramble repeatedly, with Jake Wardle barely managing to drag him down during a second-half break.

The stats backed it up too. Only man-of-the-match Walsh covered more ground — 236 metres to Nawaqanitawase’s 216. He topped post-contact metres and notched multiple line-breaks and tackle-busts. For a man playing just his second year of professional league, those are elite numbers.

A Natural Fit in the Kangaroos Setup

Inside the Kangaroos squad, Nawaqanitawase has already become something of a cult figure. His easygoing humour — highlighted by the moment he turned up at the airport carrying his old Wallabies-branded luggage — has made him a popular teammate.

But it’s not just about the laughs. His work ethic has impressed the coaching staff, particularly his commitment to the physical grind of league’s wing play. “He’s a strong carrier, runs great lines, and doesn’t shy away from contact,” Walters said after the Wembley Test. “He’s got that union toughness but with a league edge now.”

Those “hard yards” are what make him so valuable — and so dangerous. While Walsh dazzles and Munster orchestrates, Nawaqanitawase does the dirty work, pushing through tackles, creating momentum, and finishing with flair when the opportunity comes.

The Dream That Could Become England’s Nightmare

As Australia prepare to face England again at Everton this Saturday, Nawaqanitawase’s presence looms large. The English defence struggled to contain him at Wembley — and now that he’s got his debut nerves out of the way, he could easily turn into the series’ breakout star.

The irony is that his time in league might be short-lived. Walters has already confirmed that Nawaqanitawase will return to union after the 2026 NRL season to prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. But the coach insists that hasn’t factored into his selections.

“He’s here to perform, and that’s all that matters,” Walters said. “We’re not thinking about next year or the year after. Right now, he’s a Kangaroo, and he’s earned that.”

For Nawaqanitawase, the feeling is mutual. “I’m living the dream,” he said in the bowels of Wembley after his debut. “It’s a pinch-yourself moment. It’s all gone so quick — I just want to enjoy it.”

Enjoy it he might — but England’s defenders certainly won’t.

If Shaun Wane’s side doesn’t find a way to shut down Australia’s new try magician, the Ashes could be decided by a player who not long ago was wearing gold instead of green.

The Code-Hopping Star Who Belongs on Any Stage

Whatever happens in the rest of this series, one thing is certain: Mark Nawaqanitawase has already justified the hype. His leap from union to league isn’t just a story of athletic versatility — it’s a reminder that talent, when driven by humility and hunger, can transcend any code.

England beware. The man who once flew for the Wallabies is now soaring for the Kangaroos — and if he keeps this up, he might just redefine what it means to be a dual-code star in the modern era.