With their depth being tested, the Roosters are hoping to sign Wallabies and NSW Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase for the second half of the NRL season.Roosters centres Michael Jennings and Billy Smith are expected to miss some time with injury, leaving the club thin on healthy outside backs.
Nawaqanitawase is due to join the Roosters on a two-year deal from 2025 but according to The Sydney Morning Herald, Roosters star Brandon Smith has addressed speculation he won’t see out his contract and revealed the “kick up the arse” he got from senior teammates.
Smith has been linked with an early exit from the Roosters in the wake of getting dropped for disciplinary reasons last week.The 28-year-old received a breach notice for missing a team meeting earlier this month and while not a cardinal sin in isolation, the club came down hard because it reportedly reflected a pattern of behaviour.
It also triggered multiple reports that the club was losing patience with Smith – who is on $900,000 next season – and that he could be shown the door early.But the New Zealand international has moved to quash departure speculation that he’d replace Damien Cook at the Rabbitohs next year.
the Tricolours are attempting to lure the 23-year-old rugby union star to the club earlier with the Super Rugby season over.
Nawaqanitawase has asked for an early release from his Rugby Australia contract with the winger reportedly not in consideration for the Wallabies for their 13-Test schedule in the back half of 2024.While unlikely to represent the Wallabies before switching to rugby league, Nawaqanitawase is in the running to be named for Australia’s rugby sevens squad for the Paris Olympics.
Nawaqanitawase’s agent Milan Volavola-Shankar confirmed to the SMH that his client was hoping to leave his Rugby Australia contract early.“At this stage the Roosters have expressed interest in bringing Mark Nawaqanitawase prior to his contract start date,” Volavola-Shankar said.
“We are in the midst of discussions and negotiations with Rugby Australia about the prospect of an early release subject to his pending selection in rugby sevens for the Olympics.”
