INTRO: The sudden absence of Zac Lomax has accelerated conversations about the NSW Blues wing and lifted mark nawaqanitawase into immediate contention. The 25-year-old former Wallabies flyer posted a remarkable debut NRL season and, with Lomax reportedly not set to play the coming season, the Roosters winger now faces what may be his clearest route to a State of Origin jersey — possibly his last before a return to rugby union next year.
Background and stakes: Why this vacancy matters
Zac Lomax, aged 26, had been a mainstay on the Blues wing with six consecutive Origin appearances. As things stand, Lomax will not be playing the 2026 NRL season after departing his previous club and failing to secure a move that materialised elsewhere. That absence leaves a clear vacancy in Laurie Daley’s selection picture for the Origin series, elevating internal competition and sharpening scrutiny on outside backs across the competition.
The vacancy is not merely a roster slot; it is a strategic selection that forces the Blues coaching group to weigh recent league form against established experience and cross-code pedigree. mark nawaqanitawase’s switch into rugby league last year and immediate try-scoring output has made him a focal point in that debate.
Mark Nawaqanitawase — form, profile and the Origin window
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s debut NRL season produced headline figures: 25 tries in 24 games. That strike rate placed him among the most prolific finishers in the competition during that campaign. At 25, the former Wallabies flyer carries both elite footwork developed in 15s and the finishing instincts that have translated to league.
Selection dynamics are straightforward: if mark nawaqanitawase can replicate his 2025 output in the opening rounds of this season, his case for a Blues jersey strengthens markedly. However, timing complicates things. He is scheduled to return to rugby union next year, which narrows the window for Origin selection and makes any opportunity in the coming season potentially decisive for his representative legacy.
Deep analysis: Causes, implications and ripple effects
Three interacting causes have opened this door. First, Lomax’s absence removes an incumbent barrier to selection. Second, mark nawaqanitawase’s unique cross-code background provides a contrasting skill set to traditional league wingers — a combination of aerial experience, positional reading from rugby union, and demonstrated finishing. Third, the Roosters’ usage and structure around their outside backs can amplify or mute a winger’s statistical output; form is necessary but not sufficient.
The implications extend beyond a single jersey. If mark nawaqanitawase secures an Origin spot, it could accelerate the trend of cross-code transitions being taken seriously as representative pathways. Conversely, a failure to convert form into selection would reinforce the preference for players with sustained NRL continuity. For the Roosters, his selection could shape early-season load management and game plans, knowing the player has a limited window before a code switch.
Expert perspectives and coaching context
Michael Cheika, Assistant Coach, Sydney Roosters, framed his own code-crossing experience in the context of learning and adaptation: “There’s no awkwardness, mate!” he said about working close to his former rugby affiliations, and added that the assistant role has been a “huge learning curve. ” Cheika described the value of understanding exactly what a head coach needs from assistants and bringing that perspective to his new environment.
That coaching dynamic matters for mark nawaqanitawase. The Roosters’ staff decisions, including the integration of a football mind experienced in 15s, shape how a player with union provenance is coached, positioned and presented for representative selection.
Laurie Daley, Coach, New South Wales Origin team, now faces the practical task of choosing a wing with limited windows to evaluate candidates. The decision will balance recent league metrics, prior representative experience, and projected availability for the Origin series.
Regional implications and the wider game
A Blues selection of mark nawaqanitawase would reverberate across both codes. It would spotlight the permeability of elite pathways between union and league, potentially influencing recruitment and retention strategies for clubs and unions. For the Origin contest itself, introducing a player with a union background changes defensive patterns and kick-chase strategies that Queensland will study closely.
At a team level, the Roosters must manage the dual objectives of maximising immediate on-field returns and recognising that any representative recognition may be short-lived if the player returns to union in the next season.
Closing thought: With Lomax out of the frame, mark nawaqanitawase sits at the intersection of form, timing and coaching philosophy — but will a condensed window of availability be enough for a Blues call-up, or will the Blues opt for continuity instead?
