Rugby cross-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to join the Saitama Wild Knights in Japan later this year, following a successful four-year period with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. In a statement released by the Wild Knights, Nawaqanitawase highlighted the club’s impressive history and strong track record of success.
“They are a very strong team that has experienced a lot of success and it is a club which carries a rich history,” the statement revealed. “I am looking forward to becoming part of the Wild Knights and I am looking forward to what we can build together in the future.”
While the duration of his contract was not officially disclosed by the club, Australian media reports suggest that he signed a lucrative two-year deal. Notably, Nawaqanitawase will remain with the Roosters for the entirety of the 2026 NRL season.
According to CODE Sports, he is determined to help the Roosters clinch the premiership before making his transition from league to union. “I want to walk out of here with a premiership with the lads,” he expressed.
At Saitama, Nawaqanitawase will have the opportunity to play alongside former Australian Wallabies and Fiji-born winger Marika Koroibete. The Saitama Wild Knights, based in Kumagaya city, Saitama Prefecture, was founded in 1960 by students and workers from the now-defunct Japanese electronics giant Sanyo.
This move is a significant step for Nawaqanitawase, who is looking to make his mark in the international rugby union scene while continuing to contribute to his current team’s success in the NRL. With a history steeped in achievement and a promising future ahead, both Nawaqanitawase and the Saitama Wild Knights seem poised for success on the rugby field.
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