Mark Nawaqanitawase: Career, Salary, and Pronunciation Guide

Rugby league fans know the name, but most can’t spell it, let alone say it. Mark Nawaqanitawase, the Fijian-Australian wing, heads to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters after a standout union career, ending months of speculation and setting up a potential return to the 15-man code for the 2027 World Cup.

Full name: Mark Nawaqanitawase ·
Position: Winger ·
Current team: Sydney Roosters (NRL) ·
Previous team: New South Wales Waratahs (Super Rugby) ·
International team: Australia (rugby union) ·
Contract: 2025-2026 NRL

Here is a breakdown of the player’s known career details across both rugby codes.

The implication: Nawaqanitawase enters the Roosters as a proven finisher whose contract runs precisely to the 2027 World Cup window.

How do you pronounce Mark Nawaqanitawase?

Phonetic breakdown

The surname has tripped up commentators since he first appeared in Super Rugby. Rugby Australia states the surname is pronounced “NUH-WANG-GAH-KNEE-TAH-WAHZAY”. The Sydney Morning Herald offers a similar guide: “Nuh – Wonga – Knee – Tar – Wahsee”.

On social media, the surname is often abbreviated as “Nawaqa” — his Instagram handle is marknawaqa — but the full seven-syllable version remains a mouthful for NRL commentators who’ve mostly called union games.

Audio guide

No official audio pronunciation guide exists from the player or team, but the phonetic breakdown from Rugby Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald is the most reliable reference available. The Fijian pronunciation follows a rhythmic, syllable-timed pattern common in iTaukei names.

The Sydney Morning Herald noted that even seasoned broadcasters have struggled, with one commentator reportedly asking for a “Marky Mark” style shortcut before settling on a phonetic attempt.

How much does Mark Nawaqanitawase get paid?

Contract details

The exact salary for Nawaqanitawase’s Sydney Roosters contract has not been publicly disclosed, according to Aussie Report. He signed a two-year deal covering the 2025 and 2026 seasons, as reported by Sporting News Australia.

Standard NRL contracts for established outside backs typically range between $300,000 and $600,000 per season, but without official confirmation, this remains speculative. The Roosters have a history of incentivizing deals with third-party agreements and performance bonuses, which could push the effective value higher.

Salary cap implications

The Roosters have been managing their salary cap carefully, with major names like James Tedesco and Luke Keary occupying significant space. Adding Nawaqanitawase for a reported moderate sum gives the club flexibility to retain younger talents like Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who is also on a marquee deal.

For the Roosters, the value lies not in a headline salary but in the marketing and on-field upside of a Fijian-Australian winger with genuine pace and a highlight reel that plays well in western Sydney’s Pacific Islander communities.

Why is Mark Nawaqanitawase leaving NRL?

Reasons for code switch

Nawaqanitawase’s move to the NRL was announced in October 2024, with the Roosters confirming a two-year deal. He had previously signed with the Sydney Roosters for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, according to Sporting News Australia. The switch was also confirmed by Commonwealth Games Australia.

“Off to Paris today with the 7’s, means my time at the @nswwaratahs has come to an end.”

— Mark Nawaqanitawase, Instagram

He has hinted at a return to rugby union for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which would be hosted in Australia. The Sydney Roosters player profile lists him in the club’s NRL squad for the 2025 season, and he’s expected to be a regular starter on the wing.

Future plans

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a unique detour — he participated in rugby sevens, a move that kept him in the Olympic spotlight while he negotiated his NRL future. Commonwealth Games Australia notes he was part of the Wallabies squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

“Nawaqanitawase inked a deal with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL for the 2025 and 2026 seasons but has hinted at a return for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”

— Commonwealth Games Australia

For the Roosters, the immediate priority is a top-eight finish and Nawaqanitawase settling into the NRL’s physicality. The long-term question — a return to union for the 2027 World Cup — is a story that will follow him through the 2026 season.

Is Mark Nawaqanitawase eligible for Rookie of the Year and international play?

Rookie of the Year criteria

Eligibility for NRL Rookie of the Year is uncertain; first-year players typically qualify, but Nawaqanitawase’s extensive professional rugby union career may complicate the definition. The NRL’s official rules state the award goes to a player in their first season of senior rugby league, and Nawaqanitawase fits the technical definition even though he’s a seasoned professional athlete.

His transition from rugby union to league is not the first — Sporting News Australia notes several cross-code players have made the switch — but the Rookie of the Year panel typically favors younger, less-experienced players. Nawaqanitawase’s 10-Test international career with the Wallabies could work against him in the voting.

International eligibility for Australia

The eligibility rules for international rugby league are straightforward: Nawaqanitawase’s Australian birth and Fijian heritage give him a choice between the Kangaroos and Fiji. However, having previously played for the Australia national rugby union team, he may be eligible for international rugby league under the NRL’s transfer rules, though the specifics remain a grey area.

His targeted return for the 2027 Rugby World Cup would require a clause in his Roosters contract, but no such clause has been confirmed publicly. The Wallabies’ new coach, Joe Schmidt, would likely welcome him back if the terms align, but the Roosters would need to release him — a move that would require compensation for the 2026 season.

The pattern: every career decision Nawaqanitawase makes between now and 2026 will be read through the lens of that potential World Cup return.

What is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s background?

Ethnicity

He is of Fijian descent, as noted by Commonwealth Games Australia, which describes him as “one of rugby’s most exciting young talents.” His Fijian heritage has been a consistent thread throughout his career, from his junior years in western Sydney to his international caps for the Wallabies.

Father

His father is not publicly named, but Commonwealth Games Australia mentions his father’s move to Australia, which preceded Mark’s birth. The athlete’s Instagram occasionally features family moments, but no specific details about his father’s identity have been confirmed by credible sources.

School

The school he attended is not publicly known, though Sporting News Australia reported he played junior rugby in the Parramatta district before being scouted by the Waratahs. His pathway followed the typical rugby union development system in New South Wales, which identifies talent early through school and club competitions.

Height

His height is not publicly listed on any of his official profiles, which is unusual for a professional athlete. Rugby League Project — a community-run database — lists him without the standard physical measurements, and the Roosters’ official player profile is similarly bare on this detail.

Marital status

His marital status is not publicly known, and he keeps his personal life off social media apart from rugby-related content. His Instagram handle, marknawaqa, shows no consistent partner or family postings, and no tabloid reports have surfaced about his relationships.

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