After an impressive first nine games in the NRL, the Roosters are keen to re-sign Mark Nawaqanitawase long term in what would be a major blow to the Wallabies who are hoping to lure him back to rugby before the 2027 World Cup.
Nawaqanitawase has linked with the Roosters on a two-year deal which expires at the end of next season.
The 24-year-old outside back, who scored a miracle try in last Friday night’s 24-20 loss to Canterbury, has even been mentioned as a possible NSW bolter for this year’s State of Origin series although he missed selection for game one.
Daily Telegraph veteran newshound Phil Rothfield, on the Off The Record podcast, said the Roosters were eager to open negotiations on a new deal with their speedster who is quickly developing into a fan favourite.
Nawaqanitawase’s camp reportedly approached the Roosters about an upgrade on his $500,000 contract for 2026 with another couple of years thrown on the end for a three-season deal around the $2 million ballpark.
And the club is willing to do a deal with fellow winger Dominic Young heading out the door, likely back to Newcastle.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has admired the way Nawaqanitawase has adapted to his new rugby code.
With the Roosters trailing 18-14 after giving up a 14-0 lead, Nawaqanitawase provided a piece of magic to briefly put his team back in the lead.
After getting the ball on the right wing, the flyer pushed off a Matt Burton tackle and hopped on his left foot twice to avoid going over the sideline.
The 24-year-old then chipped ahead for himself, had the ball land on its belly, before reaching over the sideline and dragging it back in to get it down and score.
Nawaqanitawase almost scored a similar try against the Warriors earlier this year and Robinson believes his fearless approach comes from rugby union, where Nawaqanitawase was a star in both the 15 and seven-player variants.
“The attrition base in union isn’t as high as it is in league. So therefore you can take risks and it’s not going to hurt you like it does in rugby league,” Robinson said.
“That’s why we love rugby league, but you also have to make sure players are coming through not think attrition through (under) 17s and 19s.
“There has to be allowed to be that freedom in footy, and hopefully Mark can allow that with players and coaches to allow more freedom in the right areas.
“Back yourself. The game needs those players.
“We don’t often do it, but it’s a tip of the cap to the freedom that comes from union because it doesn’t hurt as much.”
DCE opens talks on new deal
Daly Cherry-Evans has vowed to play on in 2026 but will leave any decision about which club he joins until after the State of Origin series.
The Manly and Queensland captain confirmed he has spoken to the Sydney Roosters and Dolphins.
Pundits such as Maroons great Cooper Cronk had urged the 36-year-old to make a call on his NRL future so the issue was not a distraction in Origin or for Manly, but he won’t be swayed by outside opinion to rush any announcement.
When Cherry-Evans appeared on 100% Footy in March and confirmed he would leave the Sea Eagles at the end of 2025, he also outlined how he would be patient with decisions on his Origin availability and whether he would play club footy in 2026. He was a man with a plan.
After joining the Maroons in camp ahead of the Origin series opener, for the first time he confirmed the finer details of his next steps after the self-realisation he was “playing on for all the right reasons”.
Daly Cherry-Evans. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“The first part was making sure that I would be good to go (for Queensland again) and after the first 11 weeks of the season, the motivation is as high as ever to play Origin,” he said.
“The motivation is definitely there to play on next year (in the NRL). When the time is right, I will sign on with a club and make an announcement, but that’s highly unlikely to happen any time soon and certainly not during Origin.
“Now that we are here I don’t think I will be putting anyone – both Manly and another club and this team – under any unnecessary pressure.
“I’m the only person that has to worry about or deal with it and that’s the way I wanted it and that’s why I’ve afforded myself the time to take my time.
“I have been as open and honest as possible during the whole process.
“That’s why I gave Manly the heads up really early, six or eight months ago, so they have been able to move on and get their man (Canberra half Jamal Fogarty).
“At this (Origin) level, I don’t believe it will be a distraction.”
There have been reports that Cherry-Evans had already signed with the Roosters, which he quashed.
“No, I haven’t signed with anyone and … I’ve kept that really tight,” he said.
“I made it clear at the start I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with this process. The Roosters are someone I have spoken to, but nothing has been done yet. “The Dolphins are one of the sides I have spoken to but again nothing has happened.
“I understand people will want to speculate but ultimately that’s on them. I have been really clear on my wording around it because I have been really purposeful on it from the get-go.
“We live in a world of now. News is now. Social media is now. Sometimes it is nice to make sure you are doing the right thing and take the time to make those decisions.”
Now he can just focus on winning back the Origin shield for the Maroons.
“You want to make sure your motivations are in the right spot and coming into this Origin period, I definitely have a lot of belief in the side and myself being here,” he said.
Cherry-Evans, who has played 25 Origin games, said it was “too soon” to make a call on whether he would play for Queensland next year and attempt to reach the magical 30-game mark.
with AAP
