Podcast host calls BS on Nawaqanitawase World Cup claim
Mark Nawaqanitawase says he is no closer to deciding on which country he will represent at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The superstar winger is eligible to play for the Wallabies, Fiji and Italy and was again quizzed on his mindset during an appearance on the Straight Talk with Mark Bouris podcast.
Mark Nawaqanitawase. YouTube
“It’s obviously a touchy subject at the moment,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“So I don’t know what to say. Honestly, I’m very, very lucky to be in a position where I’m eligible for a couple of countries. I don’t have to make a decision just yet, so I’m not even… literally, I’m not even thinking about it.“
Bouris called “bullshit” on that comment but Nawaqanitawase insisted there were three live options pulling on his heartstrings.
The 26-year-old grew up in Burwood and played for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup before moving to the Sydney Roosters.
“I love all my cultures. I’ve grown up in a household where I’ve had Fijians in my house everywhere, and then I have my Italian side, my nonno, my nonna,” he said.
“My mum and my auntie, my grandparents, they’re all fluent in Italian. So I’ve grown up with Italian people speaking Italian, I’ve grown up with people speaking Fijian, and then obviously I’m Australian, I’ve grown up in Australia.
“Not many people know how cultured, how much those Italian and Fijian values…there’s a lot of Italian in my life and a lot of Fijian. The food, the language, mate, there’s so much both of them have brought into my life. I would, consider myself Italian, like very Italian.”
Nawaqanitawase is set to start a lucrative two-year contract playing club rugby in Japan.
He wants to focus on giving his all to Robbie Deans’ Saitama Wild Knights before making a call on his international future.
“I don’t have to choose right now,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to play for all three teams. I’m in debt to the countries, right? It’s a blessing to be able to represent any of them.
Semi Radradra of Fiji speaks with Mark Nawaqanitawase of Australia in Saint-Étienne. Getty
“It is a world game, and I was very lucky to already go to the World Cup. I represented the Wallabies in ’23 in France and the experience that I had there, I would say is one of the major reasons why I want to go back.
“It’s just a buzz, which I’m excited for people in Australia to see and feel. It’s going to be a massive event.”
Nawaqanitawase reiterated that the chance of on-field success would be a major factor in his decision.
Australia is ranked seventh in the world with Fiji ninth and Italy 11th.
He was in the Wallabies team that lost to Fiji at the 2023 World Cup.
“That’s (winning) 100 per cent what makes the experience, yeah, so it’s up there as the most important decision,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“It’s definitely important because that it has an effect on a lot. Imagine I didn’t go to the Roosters? Imagine I went to another club, maybe not as successful?
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia celebrate grand final glory. Getty Images
“It can affect a lot of things, you know, and it has to do with environments and that has an effect on you as an individual. So going to a successful, potential winning team has an effect on a lot of things. So when it comes to making a decision, you have to really, really think about that.”
Fiji has just hired World Cup-winning coach Jake White while Italy are led by Gonzalo Quesada.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told the Hello Sport podcast that he was confident Nawaqanitawase would return to a gold jersey.
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