Mark Nawaqanitawase

Mark Nawaqanitawase (Fijian: [nawaŋanitaˈwaze] na-wong-ah-nee-taw-WAW-zay; born 11 September 2000) is an Australian professional rugby union player who plays as a wing for Super Rugby club the Waratahs and the Australia national team.[1]

Archie Nawaqanitawase
Date of birth (2000-09-11) 11 September 2000
Place of birthSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb)
SchoolSt. Patrick's College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Fullback
Current team Eastwood, Waratahs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 Eastwood 17 (45)
2019 NSW Country Eagles 6 (20)
2020– Waratahs 45 (110)
Correct as of 10 September 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Australia U20 7 (20)
2022 Australia A 5 (10)
2022– Australia 11 (25)
Correct as of 10 September 2023
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2022 Australia 1
Correct as of 18 May 2023

Early life

Nawaqanitawase is of mixed Fijian and Italian heritage, and was born and raised in Burwood, New South Wales.[2][3] Nawaqanitawase played rugby league for Concord-Burwood Wolves and Leichhardt Wanderers in his youth,[4] until he swapped over to rugby union aged 14.[2]

Rugby union career

Domestic rugby

Nawaqanitawase played schoolboy rugby for St Patrick's College, Strathfield. As an adult, he began his first-class career with Eastwood RFC in the Shute Shield competition. As of 2022, he has been capped 5 times and has scored one try.

With his similarities in height, position, body type, and playing style, Nawaqanitawase has been likened to former Waratahs fullback and dual Australia and Tonga representative Israel Folau.[5][6]

2018 – 19

Nawaqanitawase began his professional career in 2018, signing with the NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championship. He scored his first professional try in a 24-24 draw against the Fijian Drua on the 14th of September 2019.[7] He scored another three tries in a year which saw the Eagles win the Horan-Little Shield for the first time since 2016.

Following the 2019 season, the NRC competition was disbanded including franchises.

2020 – 22

Nawaqanitawase signed to the Waratahs squad for the 2020 season.[8][9] He made his Super Rugby debut against the Crusaders on the 1st of February 2020, scoring two tries in a 42–23 loss. He scored another try the following week against the Blues. Nawaqanitawase finished his debut season having played 9 matches and scoring 4 tries.

In 2021, despite a disappointing year for the club, Nawaqanitawase extended his contract with the Waratahs until the end of the 2023 season.

Nawaqanitawase had a breakout 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, starting in 10 of his 12 matches, scoring seven tries and playing a total of 842' in a year which saw the Waratahs finish 6th on the ladder and reach the Quarter-finals.

Australia U20

Nawaqanitawase was a part of the U20 side that won their first title of the 2019 Oceania Rugby U20 Championship. Nawaqanitawase played twice and scored twice, with both tries being scored against Japan U20.

In the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship, Nawaqanitawase played all five of the Junior Wallabies' matches, including the final against France in which he scored the second-fastest try in a World Rugby U20 Championship final. Unfortunately, the Junior Wallabies lost by one point: 23–24.[10][11]

Australia A

In 2022, following an incredibly successful year with the Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase was named in the Australia A squad for the Pacific Nations Cup. Australia A finished runner–up in the tournament. Nawaqanitawase was again named in the Australia A squad for the three-match series against Japan. He played in two matches and scored two tries in the series win.

Australia

In 2022, following a successful campaign with both Australia A and the Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase was named in the Australian squad for the 2022 Autumn internationals series.

On the 13th of November, 2022, Nawaqanitawase was named in the number 14 jersey in his debut match against Italy which the Wallabies lost 28 to 27.

On the 27th of November 2022, Nawaqanitawase scored two tries against Wales helping leading the Wallabies to a 39 to 34 win.

References
  1. "Mark Nawaqanitawase". NSW Waratahs. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. Decent, Tom (18 January 2020). "'Definitely a goal': Nawaqanitawase remaining grounded but wants a Super Rugby debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  3. Lembke, Oliver (18 January 2020). "Just call me Mark: Waratahs teen Nawaqanitawase makes a name for himself on debut". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  4. Robinson, Georgina (8 February 2020). "Adam and Mark: Where it all began for Doueihi and Nawaqanitawase". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  5. "Mark Nawaqanitawase". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  6. "'The Next Israel Folau': From Obscurity to the Junior Wallabies". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  7. "225 vs Fijian Drua | National Rugby Championship | Latest Rugby Fixtures & Results | RUGBY.com.au". www.rugby.com.au.
  8. "NSW Waratahs Squad". NSW Waratahs. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  9. "Nawaqanitawase graduates to NSW Waratahs senior squad" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  10. "Heartbreak for history chasing Junior Wallabies". Fox Sports Australia. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. Decent, Tom (23 June 2019). "Junior Wallabies fall short in under-20 world championship final". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
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