Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson revealed his plans for cross-code signing Mark Nawaqanitawase as the club raced to get a deal done before Monday.
Reports emerged that the Roosters would be open to allowing the code-hopper to play at Paris 2024 for Australia in sevens before linking with the club.
Nawaqanitawase has agreed to a code switch, with his two-year contract at the Roosters not starting until 2025. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the NRL club was trying to get him on their books before Monday’s mid-season signing deadline.
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The 23-year-old has not been selected in the Wallabies squad to play Wales and Georgia.
Robinson explained if Nawaqanitawase was to arrive early, it wouldn’t be with a plan to have him playing NRL.
Mark Nawaqanitawase could play NSW Cup this year. Getty
“We’re hopeful of getting that through. It’s more the ability to get him going,” he said after the Roosters’ win over the Tigers.
“I haven’t got an NRL focus for him, I’ve got a transition into rugby league focus and get him training if possible and playing some reserve grade would be ideal. And then it’s up to him about how he adapts.
“The focus is definitely not NRL, it’s not next week. We’ve got a deadline tomorrow (July 1) and it’d be nice to get that done but there’s not any view on NRL any time soon.”
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The Roosters coach added there’d be a desire to have the winger play four NSW Cup games after he returns from Paris 2024, if selected.
“We’ve got a spot available to do that but then just to get his feet on the ground, get his understanding and that will have a really good view for the pre season … that would really help us adapt through the pre season with him,” he said.
“That would be the goal.”