Sydney Roosters launch bold bid to raid Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase with NRL backing swoop in attempt to avenge loss of Joseph Sua’ali’i to Rugby Australia

The Sydney Roosters are plotting an audacious swoop for Mark Nawaqanitawase, with reports suggesting club powerbrokers have met with the Wallabies star to thrash out a shock deal.

The winger reportedly met with club chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson on Tuesday.

The NRL are backing the Roosters’ ploy in a bid to hit back at Rugby Australia after they landed Joseph Suaalii in a $5million coup last year.

According to News Corp, the NRL has given 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.

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

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

During a dramatic 2023, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been successfully lured to the 15-man game, Eddie Jones has come and gone as Wallabies coach, and the likes of Cameron Murray have opted to stay put in rugby league.

But there is the potential of the NRL striking back.

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,’ 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.’

Getting that right, while appeasing all 17 clubs with a level playing field, stands as the NRL’s biggest challenge.

Salary-cap exemptions are already in place for developed players and veterans, with up to 10 per cent of their salaries wiped off the cap to a maximum of $300,000 per club per year.

A similar system could potentially be put in place for players who have been signed from rival codes.

‘Any change the commission might make to that policy will have to be very carefully considered, and there will be parameters and caps,’ Abdo said.

‘It won’t be a free-for-all.

‘It will be delicate and it will be about making sure there’s an opportunity for all clubs on an equal basis to have one or two talented players that they recruit potentially from other codes around the world.