In a double dose of good news for Australian rugby, starting Wallabies outside backs Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tom Wright have re-signed with Rugby Australia.
As rumours swirled of potential big name league signings, RA have kept their priorities in order, locking down two of the most exciting young talents in the game.
Nawaqanitawase, who along with Nick Frost was the breakout star of 2022, is understood to have signed a one-year deal.
It’s a smart piece of business on both party’s behalf because the 22-year-old’s ceiling is enormous, but many players haven’t always been able to back-up one season of fire with another.
What’s more, with private equity around the corner, there is every chance Nawaqanitawase’s value could go up.
Mark Nawaqanitawase has re-signed with Australian rugby on a short-team, one-year deal. Photo: David Davies, Getty Images
Standing at 192cm, the Waratahs winger, who scored a double on debut in Super Rugby against the Crusaders in 2020 before riding through a two-year bumpy journey and coming out the other end, is the tallest back in the Wallabies line-up.
His height, aerial prowess, ability to free his arms (he’s ranked second in Super Rugby with his nine successful offloads) and find the try-line is a point of difference.
Those factors, including his willingness to rove and hunt for the ball, stood out last November as he blew away observers against Ireland and Wales during his first tour with the Wallabies.
Wright, meanwhile, has signed a two-year extension with the Brumbies and Rugby Australia.
His retention is a boost ahead of the World Cup, with the 25-year-old attracting interest across the globe.
Wright has brought a new dimension to the Brumbies’ attack this year, with his playmaking ability challenging defences in a way Tom Banks couldn’t.
Tom Wright has signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia. Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
Elusive and electric, Wright’s willingness to run and hold the ball in two hands was on display last year for the Wallabies as he moved closer to the action.
After bursting onto the international scene with a try with his first touch against the All Blacks in Brisbane, Wright looms as the favourite to wear the No.15 jersey for the Wallabies this year.
Although Jock Campbell and Andrew Kellaway are safer options, Wright has the ability to make things happen and offers the side a renewed sense of X-factor in much the way the elusive Willie le Roux provides the Springboks.
Importantly, too, Wright is growing with every performance in the No.15 jersey.
Tom Wright has brought an added playmaking dimension to the Brumbies. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
He was forced to learn on the run last year at fullback for the Wallabies, having only played a handful of matches in the role with then-Brumbies teammate Banks holding a mortgage on the role. Mistakes – knowing when to run and kick – were bound to occur.
They still are present in his game. He got caught running into the teeth of the defence against the Blues in Melbourne, but has shown a rising sense of maturity and knowledge with every match this season.
The key signing developments come as RA close in on schoolboy sensation Joseph Suaalii.
The 19-year-old, who played on the wing for the Australian Schoolboys, turned down RA’s advances under the previous administration and coach before signing with the Roosters.
His name has been the talk of the town all week, particularly after his agent Issac Moses had his RUPA accreditation provisionally approved.
It’s believed his signature is in the balance.
Joseph Suaalii looms as the biggest cross-code signing since Israel Folau. Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Suaalii has been on record saying he wants to make the switch to rugby union at some point in his career. His teammates at the Roosters also expect him to one day make that switch, too.
Earlier this month he signed a one-year extension to stay at the Roosters until the end of 2024. It’s believed he did so after the Roosters put pressure on him to re-sign.
Meanwhile, as first reported by The Roar earlier this month, Eddie Jones has signed his former England assistant Neal Hatley as the side’s new scrum coach.
Hatley is currently forwards coach for English Premiership Bath and will join up Eddie Jones in May. He was on the coaching staff as Jones led England to the World Cup final in 2019.
Hatley is a former prop who played 193 matches in the Premiership for Bath and Bedford.
Bath head coach Neal Hatley watches his players warm up prior to the Gallagher Premiership match The AJ Bell Stadium, Salford. Picture date: Friday February 12, 2021. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Wallabies also announced David Rath will join the staffing group as “Learning Coordinator”. He joins from St Kilda Football Club where he has held a number of roles in High Performance, including 15 years Hawthorn where he won four flags.
It’s understood his role will include being an analyst with the Wallabies as well as playing a key role in shaping the culture of the squad.
“I’m honoured to join Eddie and the Wallabies in what’s a massive year with the World Cup just over five months away,” Hatley said in a statement.
“While my focus is here with Bath at the moment, I know there’s plenty of potential within the playing group in Australia and I’m looking forward to maximising that when I begin the role.”
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said: “It’s great to have Neal and David on board with the Wallabies.”
“Neal’s a coach with a tremendous amount of experience and knows what’s required to be successful at International level.
“David has worked with the best coaches in the AFL and will bring a skill set that will help aid or learning environment.”
jeznez
Roar Guru
100% the old boys network causes issues. But so do the competing development officers. NSW v Tahs and Auckland v Blues am sure share many issues. Not least other Super teams, NRL and now NH clubs competing with them for ‘their’ talent. Agree there is no point complaining. As I said in one of my early replies above. It’s a feature that NSW and Qld players fill other squads. It’s how we kickstart growth around the country.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Cool… thats the Jez I know and love. Thanks for the reply. So that is really positive. I agree with all of that. I guess what irks me is how many excuses I have heard over the years for absolutely no result. The Tahs have had enough players to be a lot better than they are. One of the worlds best open-sides for one. What frustrates me is how even some Tah fans suggest he is not up to it and are looking at Gamble suggesting Hooper should be on the bench. Just another example of serious talent being dismissed. There are plenty of others where it simply hasn’t been developed. Over the years I would argue that the Tahs have had more than their share of talent and quality olayers.. far more than the Brumbies, which was my original point about largely having the pick of the crop. They have more money, power and influence than any other state in Australia. I agree about a stadium and player facitllities, but more than that it is pathways, player opportunity and player development where NSW rugby has failed in my view. I daresay a lot of that is down to the old boys club snd power stuggle between factions which is entrenched in NSW rugby as opposed to the Brumbies. That is for me the advantage the Brumbies have over the Tahs. I am yet to be convinced that the changes you mentiom breaking down the internal challenges. It is a tough egg to crack and many have tried. Finslly back to your point, that some of the Brumbies players are wanted by the Tahs. That is true, but I wonder if you switched around sides, whether the Brumbies would do better with the players the Tahs have to choose from than the Tahs would do with the players the Brumbies have to fight for. So yes it was a bit of light hearted babtee which became a bit more serious. But behind all banter is an element of truth and behind that some frustration. The Tahs ought to be so much better thsn the sum of their parts but year after year they seem to be less. And yes I acknowledge you also share this frustration. I genuinely hope that these initiatives you mention gain traction and pay off. When thevTahs are strong rugby in Austal8a is strong. Because if the Tahs step up, the Reds almost certainly will step up to match them.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm bit nervous to share material things. This started as a little banter that the Brumbies are our second team, then I referenced the wrong part of history in a reply and now saying that some of the Brumbies were very much wanted by the Tahs is complaining about the rough end of the pineapple. Feels like this is escalating when there is no need for it. Anyway, let's try. There is some obvious stuff that even an outsider might have noticed like finally having a home stadium after shuffling around since 2018. Maybe less well known is that they trained out of demountable buildings before finally getting new facilities this year. Last year, they spent a lot of time connecting with country NSW billetting with families across the central west. This year they are getting around the junior clubs, visiting 50 of them over the current three week block. Scheduled to hit another 80 over the remainder of the season. They've been trying to boost western Sydney ever since the SRU forced out Penrith, playing trials last year and this year against West Harbour and Two Blues. In terms of their play, yep - Coleman has messed up badly so far this season. See my comments on some of the articles about their games for where I think they've been going wrong, where they are improving.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
So I have it back to front… the Brumbies have first pick and the Tahs get the dregs going all the way back to 1995 when the Brumbies were created. What absolute nonsense. That the Brumbies were able to get a couple of players and effectively build their team around these couple of Wallabies as opposed to a team stacked full of Wallabies (the Tahs) is for you the Tahs not having first pick… It seens to me the Tahs complain about players they haven’t for the most part, wanted more than others have wanted them, so let them go. And considering the powee and inflyence of NSW compared to Canberra… to complain that you are getting the rough end of the pineapple is laughable if so many didn’t believe it and espouse it. But its all changing now.. ok. The season so far is not a clear indication of the Tahs being a team that attracts players. Must be the behind scenes stuff like the superiot coaching and player development pathways thats going to do it, because Darren Coleman knows. At the moment it doesn’t appear DC knows how to win a game, but that is just an outsiders perspective. Maybe it is all about to change, but that is the same thing thst is rolled out every year… and every year the same thing. Perhaps you could share the material things which are changing that is going have the Tahs side regularly being in the top 4 as opposed to struggling to make the top 8 (i.e. in the bottom 4)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Mate you are the one saying the Tahs have first pick. It’s garbage. Guys like Reimer, White and many others going back to Finegan, Mortlock etc we’re wanted by the Tahs. I agree the Tahs should have first pick but then they’ve also been a shambles. Hopefully starting to sort things out now.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Ok, so the biggest rugby state in Australia is losing its best players to one of the smallest... or are you just cherry picking in an attempt to play the victim. Beumbies ate late comers to the table and already they have created such a legacy they are preferred to the Tahs. So yes the Brumbies have Frost... that is the one player that would make the world of difference to the tahs, someone they had no input into develooing, because that is also what they are so good at doing.. player development.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Agree to disagree.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
I think Marky Mark has more upside than Kellaway..Wright a better fullback
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep. That’s why Frost is at the Tahs having been offered out of school and again when he came back from NZ. Imagine how good he’d be if the Brumbies could have got hold of him! Brumbies have built an excellent program that attracts players, Coleman knows what that looks like having been at the Brumbies before. DC’s openly stated the goal of making the Tahs a place players want to come.
Ray
Roar Rookie
If Joseph Suaalii is worth a lot of money, how much should Issaac Lucas be worth, as Lucas kept Suallii on the wing at u/20s?
TiredOldGit
Roar Rookie
People did want him out of the fullback position, didn't mean we had someone to replace him. We always struggle with this spot. Isaac Lucas would be a handy addition to the race because he can play 10 and fullback like a D-mack.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Ben Darwin’s take on the role: I would imagine their job would be to make sure everyone 1: knows the playbook. 2:understands their role. 3: does their opposition research
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
Meh, I wouldn’t be devastated if he went O/S for a few years and learned a few more tricks before coming back a better player like Kellaway did.
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
I think his defence would be an issue at 12.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
"(T)he 22-year-old’s ceiling is enormous". Does he have a big house Christy??
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I should have flagged it as satire
I actually would’ve thought it was pretty dumb last year but since McKellar’s departure Larkham and co has implemented an attacking prowess into the team, unearthed a few scrummagers that aren’t physical specimens but can still win scrum penalties, dropped Swain and started Frost and seemingly created a new identity for the Brumbies. Whilst I’ve tried to be positive about other teams and there have been other displays of brilliance (Carter Gordon, sometimes Gleeson, the new British Force Halfback) seemingly there is the endless display of dropped passes, ten minute periods where we lose the whole game to NZ teams and then passes to the face. So as a non Brumbies fan but in awe of them and Leinster, until the other teams can take note of the Brumbies processes and programs, I’m all for having a majority Brumbies team until otherwise proven :thumbup:
scrum
Roar Rookie
Deep insight to what? Obvious irrational dislike of a team ( to clarify to hold a strong dislike of any sporting team would appear logically irrational) and his reference to MN also seems well off the mark - pun unintended.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
I miiiiiight give you Campbell but better than Kellaway?!? Like who?
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Backup to Kerevi then. Could work. But he'll have to adjust his defense. Big ask.