The civil battle between rugby league and rugby union is ready to accentuate with the Roosters reportedly to announce within the coming days they’ve signed Wallabies and Waratahs star Mark Nawaqanitawase to a two-year deal.
The Roosters will lose star exterior again Joseph Suaalii to rugby union after the 2024 season, which means Nawaqanitawase’s arrival will primarily be a straight swap.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Nawaqanitawase is ready to signal a two-year cope with the Roosters for 2025 and 2026.
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The 23-year-old Nawaqanitawase was one of many uncommon highlights for the Wallabies throughout their underwhelming World Cup marketing campaign, so it’s undoubtedly an enormous blow to rugby union, who will lose one among their extra promising gamers for a minimum of two years.
Nawaqanitawase performed rugby league till he was 14 years previous earlier than shifting his focus to union. He has performed in 11 Tests for the Wallabies and 45 video games for the Waratahs within the Super Rugby competitors.
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The shock signing is the primary since NRL chief govt Andrew Abdo mentioned giving the inexperienced mild to granting wage cap exemptions to golf equipment who recruit gamers from rival codes.
A winger for the Wallabies and Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase boasts a skillset which ought to lend itself effectively to rugby league.
Players similar to Wendell Sailor, Israel Folau, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri are among the extra famed cross-code defectors earlier than Nawaqanitawase, however in contrast to the Wallabies winger, these 4 gamers all transformed from league to union.
COWBOYS RISING STAR’S $600K DECISION
The Cowboys are reportedly susceptible to shedding younger gun again rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki amid a three-club race for his signature.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting each the Dragons and Dolphins are set to make a play for the 19-year-old’s providers.
The rising star might reportedly fetch round $600,000-per-season ought to he take the very best effort tabled to his administration.
Reports additionally recommend any contract tabled could possibly be staggered, along with his wage for the 2024 season decrease earlier than he receives a hefty improve by the top of his potential deal.
Finefeuiaki has began solely a singular sport, enjoying within the backrow towards the Titans in Round 22, whereas his different 11 appearances got here off the bench.
The younger gun has performed solely 333 minutes within the NRL, however golf equipment are reportedly nonetheless able to recruit him after his sturdy showings in North Queensland.
Finefeuiaki was damaging off the bench, forcing the Cowboys to make an enormous choice relating to which younger expertise they permit to go away.
Finefeuiaki is barely 19 and comes off contract on the finish of the 2024 season, whereas 22-year-old Heilum Luki is reportedly additionally on the radar of rivals.
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Todd Payten has Jeremiah Nanai and Luciano Leilua at his disposal as beginning backrowers, whereas younger weapons Wil Sullivan and Jamal Shibasaki are reportedly additionally coming via the ranks.
Despite a transparent logjam of expertise recruitment chief Michael Luck mentioned the membership “are not looking to offload any of them”.
He additionally made it clear he wasn’t stunned that golf equipment had been ready to desk provides to Finefeuiaki after a breakout season in 2023.
“No doubt he has got some potential,” Luck mentioned.
VETERAN’S FUME OVER WARRIORS’ PURSUIT OF CAPEWELL
Warriors chief govt Cameron George has revealed his membership aren’t assured they may recruit Broncos veteran Kurt Capewell for the 2024 season.
The 30-year-old solely has a singular season left on his deal in Brisbane and has reportedly been knowledgeable he gained’t be prolonged past 2024.
The Warriors have been pushing for Capewell’s instant launch and have reportedly tabled a three-year deal, with George revealed he’s “not confident” he can his providers for 2024.
“The option is there if him and his Brisbane want to look at those, it’s up to him, where he’s at with his longer-term future, we’ve certainly expressed our interest,” George mentioned on SEN.
“He’s got a year to go with the Broncos and they’ve got to have that discussion.
“If he wants to come and talk to us about this year we’re certainly willing to but we respect the fact that he has a contract with Brisbane.”
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He additionally revealed that the Warriors’ supply was nonetheless on the playing cards for the 2025 season and past amid rising frustrations at Red Hill.
“We’ve (offered) a longer-term option here for him, he’s on the market for 2025 and that’s what we’re looking at,” George mentioned.
“If that was to eventuate and him and Brisbane determined that there an possibility for this 12 months for us to speak about, we’d be completely happy to do this.
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WWOS is reporting Capewell’s early exit has been with anger by a bunch of senior gamers who consider the previous Panther was instrumental of their finals cost in 2023.
Kevin Walters outfit got here desperately near lifting the trophy, earlier than famous person halfback Nathan Cleary delivered a second half masterclass.
Senior figures reportedly consider his cool head and expertise performed an enormous function within the Broncos success.
Therefore, they had been shocked that membership powerbrokers had been even contemplating chopping him free for the 2024 season.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au