IT IS OVER: Mark Nawaqanitawase submits resignation — Will leave Roosters after 2026 season
In a bombshell for fans of the Sydney Roosters and the broader NRL community, star centre/winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has formally submitted a resignation letter to the club — confirming he will depart at the end of the 2026 season. This marks the end of what has been a meteoric and closely watched stint with the club, as the 25-year-old contemplates a return to his rugby union roots ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Nawaqanitawase’s time with the Roosters, which began after his code-switch from union, has been nothing short of spectacular. He was crowned the club’s 2025 Players’ Rookie of the Year and finished the season as the NRL’s top try scorer, rattling off 24 (or 25, depending on source) tries in about 23 games — a standout achievement for any player, let alone one typically described as a “convert.”
Despite his skyrocketing popularity among fans and his evident on-field impact, Nawaqanitawase has admitted that the lure of a home World Cup and a return to the 15-man code remain irresistible. He reportedly told Roosters officials that while he cherishes his time in league, he feels drawn back to union — with the intention of representing the Australia national rugby union team (“Wallabies”) once more.
For Roosters supporters, the next 12–18 months are likely to be bittersweet. While many will remember the brilliance he brought to the field, the club will soon have to brace for life without one of its brightest stars. Nawaqanitawase’s departure not only signals the end of a chapter — but potentially sets the stage for a new era, both for him personally and for the club he is leaving behind.
