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Mark Nawaqanitawase is seriously considering a return to rugby league after his Japanese rugby stint, with the Roosters prepared to make him the highest-paid winger in the NRL.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is entertaining the idea of returning to league when his stint in the 15-man code is over. The Roosters have been informed that he has spent the last six weeks giving serious consideration to a comeback.
Before that, the thought had barely crossed his mind. A meeting was held last Friday evening in Brisbane between Roosters chairman Nick Politis and Nawaqanitawase's management. At that meeting, it was conveyed to the Roosters that the star winger is genuinely open to returning to rugby league after his two-year contract with Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights. His time with the Roosters has been so enjoyable that a return is now a real option.
Nawaqanitawase Weighs Roosters Return
Nawaqanitawase has been inundated with questions about the likelihood of a return to league. He has become the most watchable player in the NRL since signing for the Roosters for the 2025 season. In his humble way, he has deflected all inquiries, falling back on the line that it is too far in the future to predict. When asked at the Roosters media day, he laughed off the questions.
His mother, Fiona, spoke at length from Fiji, where she was away for work. She said: The way that the Roosters have looked after Mark and included me and obviously all the other parents is something that I cannot praise highly enough. I did not want him coming to rugby league because I viewed it as such a rough game, but now I genuinely do not want him to go.
It is all Mark's decision in the long run, but he knows how much I have fallen in love with the club that he is at and the people who are there, and I wish he was staying. This column revealed some time ago that Politis would move heaven and earth to make sure Nawaqanitawase returned to the Roosters. Politis is prepared to make him the highest-paid winger in rugby league to do so.
A salary of $800,000 to $1 million would not be out of the question. Given his skill level and marketability, there is no reason Nawaqanitawase could not command close to the $1.4 million a year he will be getting in rugby. The view is that he is more than just a running player. He creates tries through his unmatched ability to offload and negotiate the smallest of spaces and still keep the ball alive.
The biggest development in his game has been his willingness to match it with opponents physically. He said: That is something I take a lot of pride in. I like that aspect of rugby league and I know if I am doing that well and hitting the ball up with power, the rest of my game will flow from there.
O'Brien Hails Newcastle Grand Final Push
Adam O'Brien, who parted ways with the Newcastle club last year after they finished bottom of the ladder, has sat back quietly and watched the incredible scenes out of Newcastle during the team's run to the grand final. O'Brien worked tirelessly to help build the side and was close to his players but ran out of steam after having some significant successes over the years.
Asked for comment, he said: I understand how much this season has meant to so many people up in the Hunter region. None more so than the playing group and staff. I know how hard they and the board have worked, and whilst this season has been a huge success for Justin and the club already, I would love to see them return to Newcastle on Sunday with the ultimate prize.
Cleary and Crossland Show Class
It would put a smile on so many people's faces up there. I wish them all the best for Sunday. Nathan Cleary has been as classy from his hospital bed and in his wheelchair at home as he is on the football field. The way he has gone into bat for the besieged Phoenix Crossland, whose hip drop tackle left him with a broken leg, shows exactly why he is held in such high regard throughout the game.
Even more amazing was the way that Cleary dealt with the medics on the field in the immediate aftermath of the incident during the preliminary final, despite his immense pain. Every time he was given any assistance as he was being taken from the field, sucking on a painkilling green whistle, he thanked the person who had just helped him.
It shows what a decent human being the game's best player is, and it was not missed by NRL supremo Peter V'landys. V'landys said: I am aware of how Nathan treated those helping him. It was relayed to me and I want to say how lucky we are to have him. To think of the medical people helping him in the most distressing and painful moments you could imagine says everything about Nathan.
I know I would not have been as composed or professional in that situation. No way. I would have been complaining all the way. Not far behind him in class is Phoenix Crossland.
The tackle got exactly what it deserved, but Crossland won over plenty of people with the way he spoke after the decision to suspend him for four games. He was extremely apologetic and emotional in what he had to say. He genuinely felt bad for inconveniencing everybody in the game and most of all for what he did to Nathan. The Knights have a good one in Crossland.
Clint Newton also weighed in: The professionalism and integrity Phoenix and Nathan have shown since Sunday's unfortunate incident are a credit to both players. Our game can be cruel and unfair at times, but it can also show us, in the most difficult of circumstances, the quality of people we have playing our game. They play the toughest team sport in the world, but they are humble and very respectful and empathetic people.
Politis Remains Central to Roosters
David Gyngell has scoffed at the idea that Politis has reached the end of the road as Roosters chairman. Another premiership would be a fitting note for him to end on, but Gyngell will not hear any of it. Gyngell said: It is hard to retire from something he does not regard as work. It is his life.
While he breathes, he is the boss of the Roosters. When the day eventually comes, it will be a sad one, not just for the Roosters, but for the game of rugby league. The 85-year-old pours his heart, soul and wallet into the game, and has been a great mentor for V'landys. It was Politis who advised V'landys to invest in hotels to grow the game's asset base.
V'landys often leans on Politis' sharp business mind when making big decisions about finances and the direction of the game.
brisbanetimes 
smh:The secret meeting that could deliver Marky Mark back to Roosters after rugby stintThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Sydney Roosters NRL Return Nick Politis Nathan Cleary
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