NRL lands HUGE blow on Rugby Australia as Sydney Roosters sign Wallabies superstar amid intense code war

The Roosters are expected to strike a huge blow on Rugby Australia with Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase set to join the NRL club on a two-year deal.

The Tricolours are still reeling from RA's lucrative swoop for gun fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and have exacted their revenge on the rival code by securing the 23-year-old's services from 2025.

According to News Corp, Nawaqanitawase has signed until the end of 2026, allowing him to return to union for the 2027 World Cup to be hosted by Australia.

It marks yet another blow for Rugby Australia amid a year from hell, with the Wallabies crashing out of the 2023 World Cup at the pool stage before Eddie Jones walked out on his home nation.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan, who oversaw the disastrous year, has since been given the boot, while the organisation have been forced to take out an $80million loan after a private equity deal fell through. 

Suaalii and Nawaqanitawase are expected to cross codes at the same time, in what is essentially seen as a straight swap. The Wallabies are set to fast-track Suaalii's development by taking him on the 2024 end of year tour, and he will likely take the position vacated by Nawaqanitawase.

The Roosters' swoop comes after the NRL gave the green light on a salary cap relief for clubs looking to recruit rugby's brightest prospects, although that move has proved divisive for some in the game. 

Parramatta's general manager Mark O'Neill believes such a move will thwart the 'threat' of more raids on NRL talent. 

'We have an attractive game. It's worth exploring to make sure our game stays as strong as it possibly can be,' O'Neill said.

'I think it's definitely a threat and we need to consider that accordingly. There's a level of threat that comes with it, the level of threat at the moment might be low now that Suaalii is gone and there doesn't appear to be anyone following but that will change from time to time and the threat will increase.

'I do support any innovative way and ideas that improve this scenario for NRL clubs.'

The ARL Commission are expected to discuss potential options for exemptions at this month's meeting, with Rugby Australia bosses admitting a horror World Cup has left them vulnerable.

In addition to Nawaqanitawase, NSW Waratahs teenager Max Jorgensen has long been a target for the NRL.

'We want the best athletes playing our game, whether that's the men's or women's competition,' Andrew Abdo said.

'Growth is on our agenda, so while our primary focus is developing rugby league talent through our own pathways, we're also open to attracting and, potentially in some cases, returning to league from other codes.

'Would salary-cap relief be potentially used? Yes.

'That's an absolute possibility that the commission will consider, and consider in due course.'