British and Irish Lions lure ‘not enough’ for Australian players
Mark Nawaqanitawase in action for the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui is worried that the big tournaments might not be enough to keep hold of their prized assets.
While the NRL have always had the financial power to bring Australian players across from rugby union, the international game has often been an attractive proposition in the 15-a-side code.
Even more so for Wallabies players over the next few years, with the British and Irish Lions series in 2025 and a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Key winger leaves
That did not stop Mark Nawaqanitawase from switching to league after he signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.
It means that he will miss the Lions tour, which is a blow to Rugby Australia, although the talented wing could return for the World Cup.
Nawaqanitawase is not the only individual NRL teams are tracking and there are fears that there could be an exodus over the next few seasons.
“That’s the surprising thing. I think we’ve hung our hat – and rugby – on the fact that the Lions are coming; we’re hosting a World Cup as a way of securing talent. Perhaps that’s not enough,” Turinui told Today.
“He sees a programme at the Roosters that is a new challenge. I suppose the Wallabies and rugby in Australia will say we’re getting Joseph Suaalii. How excited can we be about him coming across?”
It has been a turbulent year for Australian rugby, which saw Dave Rennie sacked and his replacement, Eddie Jones, proving to be a disastrous appointment.
They won just two matches under Jones – against Georgia and Portugal – as they exited the 2023 World Cup at the pool stages for the first time.
Impressive on the wing
Nawaqanitawase was one of the few players to really shine during the 63-year-old’s time in charge and his departure is a further blow to rugby union in Australia.
Turinui does, however, think that it can act as a positive for union should the back three player excel with the Roosters.
“Mark Nawaqanitawase was one of the outstanding players of the last 18 months really, growing into a great Wallaby player,” said Turinui.
“I’m really interested to see how he goes in the NRL. I think we’re both fans of both codes, so I can’t wait to see what a guy with that profile can do in league as well. That could be good for rugby, a guy like that going over and being successful.”
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