Olympic gold and NRL premiership: Nawaqanitawase in line for double in cross-code shock

Mark Nawaqanitawase could have the opportunity to win a gold medal for Australia at the Olympics and still be eligible to push for a Roosters premiership this season in a shock cross-code development.

Nawaqanitawase, who signed a two-year contract with the Roosters starting in 2025, is expected to make the cut for the Australian rugby sevens side for the Paris Games. It was widely expected that Nawaqanitawase would have to make a call between the Olympics or an early start to his NRL career if he was granted an early release from his Rugby Australia contract.

However, sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously given the sevens side has not officially been named, said the NRL would consider allowing the Wallabies winger to play this season even if he participated in the Olympics.

In order for that to happen, the Roosters would need to sign Nawaqanitawase by Monday’s July 1 transfer deadline. Final approval would be required by the NRL’s salary cap auditor, although Olympic participation would not necessarily be an obstacle for registration. It would also require Rugby Australia to grant him an early post-Games release, which is a possibility given Nawaqanitawase is not in the plans of new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.

If that happens, Nawaqanitawase has the chance to become the first footballer in history to win Olympic gold and a premiership ring in the same season.

The development could result in a huge boost for the Roosters, whose back line depth is being severely tested. Centre Junior Pauga is serving a four-week ban for a reckless high tackle on Canterbury’s Connor Tracey, Joseph Suaalii is suspended until mid-July, Billy Smith has an ankle injury that has sidelined him indefinitely, and Lewis Murphy (scaphoid) and Robert Toia (knee) are also unavailable.

The men’s sevens Olympic gold medal match is contested on July 27, which would give Nawaqanitawase enough time to recover, join the Roosters and push for selection in the run to the finals. His agent, Milan Volavola-Shankar, confirmed earlier this month that the Roosters were keen for the 23-year-old to begin his NRL career early.

Mark Nawaqanitawase could make a code switch like no one before him.

“At this stage the Roosters have expressed interest in bringing Mark Nawaqanitawase prior to his contract start date,” Volavola-Shankar said at the time.

The rugby sevens team will be officially unveiled this week.

Nawaqanitawase may not be the only Wallaby making an earlier than expected cross-code switch.

The Gold Coast are keen for Carter Gordon, who is signed from 2025, to make an immediate transition. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said he would not consider an early release, but the Titans are hopeful a deal can be struck in coming days.

It is unlikely Carter would play first grade this year given that the former Rebels five-eighth has no experience in the 13-man game, but the Titans want him early to give him more time to adapt to rugby league.