Roosters Assistant Coach Justin Holbrook Eager for Early Arrival of Rugby Union Convert

Sydney Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook has expressed his desire to see rugby union star Mark Nawaqanitawase join the club immediately, ahead of his scheduled 2025 move.

Nawaqanitawase announced at the end of 2023 that he would exit his current deal with Rugby Australia at the end of the year, promptly signing with the Roosters following Joseph Sua’ali’i’s departure. The 23-year-old, however, has since been left out of the most recent Wallabies squad. With just five months remaining on his current deal, it is possible that he may have played his final game in Australian rugby union for the foreseeable future.

With the Roosters currently suffering from a shortage of outside backs due to injury and suspension, the possibility of an early release for Nawaqanitawase has been floated, a move Holbrook is keen to see materialize.

“If we could make that happen, I think it would be terrific for Mark’s development in rugby league to get a kick start,” Holbrook said on SEN 1170 Afternoons. “Instead of waiting for a full season, to get him for the backend of the season, that would be enormous if that was a chance of happening. Especially with how many backs we’ve lost at the minute, which is tough for us but every club faces it. We’re a bit light on in the centres with the boys being suspended and Billy Smith injured and Robert Toia still not back from injury, so we’re a bit light on in the centres.”

Holbrook praised Nawaqanitawase’s versatility and athleticism as a player, giving Roosters fans plenty of hope for a bumper rookie season in 2025. “I’m not too sure [who his current NRL comparison is], I’ve seen a lot of him play myself,” Holbrook added. “Obviously he’s a big body and he’s quick, I think wherever he slots in the backline is going to be an asset for us but until we get him into training… we’ll sort of work it out after that. (He’s) very fast, he’s very athletic, which is where our game is centred now, we look at so many outside backs now and you’ve got to be able to do everything, carrying strong, score tries, make good decisions in defence, so you can’t just be one or the other, you have to have it all and he’s got those attributes.”

Roosters fans will be eagerly watching the developments, hoping to see Nawaqanitawase donning the Tricolours sooner rather than later.V