'Do it at the start of the year': Controversial mid-season rule change dashes Mark Nawaqanitawase's hopes of big honour
Updated . First published at
A mid-season rule change by the NRL has sparked controversy with Sydney Roosters centre and cross-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase ruled ineligible for the Dally M Rookie of the Year Award.
The timing of the announcement has proved a point of contention with Roosters teammate Connor Watson declaring that the rule change should have been made ahead of the season and not with only a few rounds remaining.
Nawaqanitawase was among the favourites to take out the annual award presented to the most outstanding rookie player in the NRL, alongside his teammate Robert Toia, the Warriors' Leka Halasima, and Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi.
READ MORE: Naden, Tigers whacked by NRL over hand gesture
READ MORE: McGuire tells Demons to 'shutup' after Goodwin leak
READ MORE: Cult hero's quiet word to Madge led to Broncos resurgence
Mark Nawaqanitawase of the Roosters. Getty
However, last week, the ARL Commission changed the eligibility criteria, creating a barrier for Nawaqanitawase because of his past rugby career.
Previously, once a player featured in five NRL first-grade matches, including English Super League games, they would become ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.
Now, a player must have played less than five professional matches in any sporting code, including rugby league, rugby union, or rugby sevens, in previous seasons.
Nawaqanitawase played 11 times for the Wallabies between 2022 and 2024 and represented the Australian sevens team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Switching to rugby league last year — playing one NRL game for the Roosters in 2024 — Nawaqanitawase has become well-known for his play on the right edge, where he has utilised his size and aerial ability to create try-scoring opportunities.
The 24-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Roosters this season, scoring 13 tries. His strong attacking performances made him a leading contender for the award.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo explained the reasoning behind the league's decision.
"The Commission has made a policy change decision around the eligibility for Rookie of the Year, and I think it's contemporary. [The award] hasn't been looked at for a while," he said.
"The decision was really simple. It is meant for genuine rookies, so players that are coming through a pathways system, and not for players that have got significant experience, even if it's in other sports."
Halasima played four games for the Warriors during the 2024 season, but still qualifies as he did not pass the five-match limit.
Watson also weighed in on Nawaqanitawase's snubbing.
"Mark would probably be the favourite to win it, so I feel like it's hard to make that call halfway through the year when he's played so well," he said.
Mark Nawaqanitawase has not ruled out a return to rugby union ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Getty
"If you're going to make a decision like that, you probably do it at the start of the year.
"It's pretty cool that Mark's had a rule named for him. It just shows the impact that he's had.
"Regardless of how he plays, Mark as a person has brought so much to the team. That's probably been the best part of having him in the team, other than everything else he does.
"His energy every day and the positivity that he has around the group is good because sometimes when your season is inconsistent as it has been this year, everyone can get a bit down in the dumps. But Mark comes in with a smile on his face every day and lifts the boys up."
Previous winners of the Rookie of the Year Award include Mat Rogers (1995), Jarryd Hayne (2006) and Israel Folau (2007). All three players were prominent cross-code athletes, but started their sporting careers in rugby league.
