A Nawaqanitawase circus should not be on Rugby Australia’s list of priorities

October 23, 2026 — 8:33am

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The “world” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the Rugby League World Cup, with the Americas, Asia and Africa unrepresented and Europe supplying a dwindling number of teams, but appeals to suspend our credulity appear to be contagious this week.

Somehow, from somewhere, a narrative has sprung up insisting that the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup hopes depend on whether Mark Nawaqanitawase decides to play for Australia, Fiji, or Italy.

The Wallabies won’t get what they need to win a Rugby World Cup from the NRL.

There are years, even decades, of evidence to the contrary, and it should be remembered that the greatest, most recent Wallabies moments at the tournament came from sheer bloody-mindedness and self-sacrifice.

First, there was David Pocock’s performance against the Springboks in 2011, displaying the tenacity and fearlessness........

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