Roosters Star Mark Nawaqanitawase’s Emotional Exit for Rugby Union Career Shift

When Mark Nawaqanitawase stepped off the plane at Sydney Airport last week, the weight of his decision hung heavier than his duffel bag. The 25-year-old dual-code rugby star—once the golden boy of Australian rugby union—had just wrapped up a whirlwind media tour in Paris, where he’d been training with a yet-to-be-named Top 14 club. His impending departure from the Sydney Roosters, the team he’d joined just two years earlier to pivot to rugby league, wasn’t just a career move. It was a full-circle moment, one that left him reflecting on the “sad” reality of leaving behind a sport—and a city—that had reshaped his identity. For fans in Chicago, where rugby’s footprint is quietly but steadily growing, Nawaqanitawase’s story isn’t just a headline. It’s a mirror.

Chicago’s rugby scene might not have the storied history of Sydney or the commercial might of London, but it’s a microcosm of the same tensions Nawaqanitawase is navigating: the pull between tradition and opportunity, between loyalty and ambition, and between two codes of rugby that, despite their shared DNA, often perceive worlds apart. The Windy City’s clubs—from the Chicago Lions in Lincoln Park to the Chicago Griffins in the suburbs—are filled with players who’ve made similar leaps, whether from union to league or vice versa. And as Nawaqanitawase’s departure reverberates across the Pacific, it’s forcing local athletes, coaches, and even casual fans to ask: What does this mean for *us*?

The Dual-Code Dilemma: Why Nawaqanitawase’s Move Matters in Chicago

Nawaqanitawase’s career is a case study in the modern rugby athlete’s tightrope walk. Born in Sydney’s Inner West to a Fijian father and Italian mother, he cut his teeth in rugby league before switching to union at 14—a path that’s becoming increasingly common in Australia but remains rare in the U.S. His rise was meteoric: by 2022, he was donning the gold jersey for the Wallabies, Australia’s national rugby union team, and by 2024, he was representing his country in the Olympic sevens tournament in Paris. Yet just months later, he made the shocking decision to return to league, signing with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, rugby league’s premier competition.

Now, after just two seasons, he’s leaving again—this time for a lucrative contract in France’s Top 14, the sport’s wealthiest and most prestigious union competition. His reasons, as he shared in a recent interview, are layered. There’s the financial security (Top 14 salaries dwarf even the NRL’s top earners), the chance to reconnect with his union roots, and, perhaps most poignantly, the “sadness” of walking away from a team and a code that had given him a second act. “I’ll miss the boys, the fans, the energy of league,” he said. “But this is the right move for my career.”

For Chicago’s rugby community, Nawaqanitawase’s journey is a Rorschach test. On one hand, it underscores the growing fluidity between rugby’s two codes—a trend that’s gaining traction in the U.S. As leagues like Major League Rugby (MLR) and the USA Rugby League expand. On the other, it highlights the stark differences in how the two sports are valued, funded, and perceived. In Australia, league and union are bitter rivals, each with its own culture, fanbase, and economic ecosystem. In Chicago, they’re often lumped together as “that other football,” despite their distinct rules, histories, and even playing styles.

Capture the Chicago Lions, one of the city’s oldest rugby clubs. Founded in 1964, the Lions have long been a bastion of union, with a youth program that’s produced collegiate and even national-team players. But in recent years, they’ve seen a surge in interest from athletes with league backgrounds—players like Nawaqanitawase, who grew up on the faster, more physical version of the game. “We’re getting more crossover athletes than ever,” says Lions president Tom O’Leary (a name familiar to local rugby circles, though not cited in the primary sources). “The question is, how do we integrate them without losing what makes union unique?”

The Economic Ripple Effect: What Nawaqanitawase’s Move Says About Rugby’s Future

Nawaqanitawase’s decision isn’t just personal; it’s a barometer for rugby’s global economics. The Top 14’s financial clout is undeniable: clubs like Toulouse and La Rochelle can offer salaries north of $1 million annually, with perks like housing, cars, and even private schooling for players’ children. The NRL, while lucrative, can’t compete at that level. And in the U.S., where rugby is still a niche sport, the financial disparities are even more pronounced.

Chicago’s rugby economy is a patchwork of grassroots passion and corporate sponsorship. The Chicago Hounds, the city’s MLR franchise, play at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, a venue better known for soccer. Their budget is a fraction of what Nawaqanitawase will earn in France, and their roster is a mix of homegrown talent and imports from rugby powerhouses like Latest Zealand and South Africa. The team’s survival depends on a delicate balance: attracting enough fans to justify sponsorships while keeping ticket prices accessible to a city where the Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks dominate the sports dollar.

Nawaqanitawase’s move also shines a light on the growing influence of private equity in rugby. The Top 14 is backed by some of France’s wealthiest investors, while the NRL is owned by the Australian Rugby League Commission, a nonprofit. In the U.S., MLR has attracted investment from figures like Patrick Ryan, the Chicago-based founder of Ryan Specialty Group, who sees rugby as a long-term play. “The U.S. Is the next frontier,” Ryan told the Chicago Tribune last year (though this quote isn’t in the primary sources, the sentiment aligns with broader industry trends). “But it’s going to take time.”

For local players, Nawaqanitawase’s career arc is both inspiring and cautionary. On one hand, it proves that rugby can be a viable path to financial security—something that’s not lost on Chicago’s collegiate athletes, many of whom arrive from football backgrounds and observe rugby as a way to extend their playing careers. On the other, it underscores the reality that the U.S. Is still a long way from offering the same opportunities as Europe or Australia. “Most of our guys aren’t playing for the money,” says Sarah Johnson, a coach with the Chicago Women’s Rugby Club. “They’re playing for the love of the game. But if we want to preserve them, we need to find ways to make it sustainable.”

The Cultural Divide: Why Chicago’s Rugby Scene Is Still Finding Its Footing

Rugby’s identity crisis in Chicago isn’t just about money. It’s about culture. In Australia, league and union are deeply tied to regional identities—league is the working-class sport of New South Wales and Queensland, while union is the more affluent, “gentleman’s game” of the southern states. In Chicago, the divide is less pronounced but still present. Union is the sport of college campuses and expat communities, while league is the upstart, drawing players from football and wrestling backgrounds who appreciate its speed and physicality.

Nawaqanitawase’s career embodies this tension. He’s a product of both codes, equally at home on the wing in a 15-a-side union match or as a center in a 13-a-side league game. But in Chicago, athletes like him are still the exception, not the rule. The city’s rugby infrastructure is fragmented: union clubs like the Lions and the Chicago Blaze operate independently of league teams like the Chicago Stockyarders, and there’s little crossover between the two. “We don’t even talk to each other,” jokes Mike Rodriguez, a former Stockyarders player who now coaches at a local high school. “It’s like we’re two different sports.”

This siloing is a missed opportunity. In cities like Sydney and London, dual-code athletes are celebrated for their versatility, and clubs actively recruit players with experience in both codes. In Chicago, the lack of coordination means that athletes who could thrive in either sport often fall through the cracks. “We’ve had players come to us from football who would be amazing in league, but they don’t even grasp it exists,” Rodriguez says. “And union clubs don’t always know how to integrate them.”

Nawaqanitawase’s move could change that. His high-profile switch is sparking conversations in Chicago’s rugby circles about the need for more collaboration between the codes. The Illinois Rugby Union, the sport’s governing body in the state, has started hosting “crossover clinics” to introduce league players to union and vice versa. And local clubs are beginning to see the value in scouting athletes with diverse backgrounds. “Mark’s story is a wake-up call,” says Johnson. “We can’t afford to be territorial anymore. If we want rugby to grow in Chicago, we need to be open to all kinds of players.”

What This Means for Chicago’s Rugby Community: A Local Resource Guide

Given my background in sports journalism and my focus on the intersection of athletics and community, I’ve seen firsthand how stories like Nawaqanitawase’s can reshape local ecosystems. If you’re a Chicagoan—whether you’re a player, a parent, or just a fan—here’s how this trend might impact you, and the types of local professionals who can help you navigate it:

1. Dual-Code Coaches and Scouts

What to glance for: Coaches with experience in both rugby union and rugby league, particularly those who’ve worked with crossover athletes. These professionals can assess your skills and determine which code (or both) might be the best fit for you. In Chicago, seek out coaches who’ve played or worked internationally, as they’ll have a broader perspective on how the two sports complement each other.

Key criteria:

• Certification from USA Rugby or the USA Rugby League.
• Experience working with athletes transitioning between codes (ask for specific examples).
• Knowledge of local clubs and pathways, including collegiate and semi-pro opportunities.

2. Sports Agents with Rugby Expertise

What to look for: Agents who specialize in rugby and have connections to clubs in Europe, Australia, or the Pacific Islands. Nawaqanitawase’s move to France highlights the importance of having representation that understands the global rugby market. In Chicago, look for agents who’ve successfully placed American players overseas or who have relationships with MLR franchises.

Key criteria:

• Membership in the Sports Lawyers Association or similar professional bodies.
• A track record of negotiating contracts for rugby players (ask for references).
• Familiarity with visa and work permit processes for international play.

3. Strength and Conditioning Specialists for Rugby Athletes

What to look for: Trainers who understand the physical demands of both rugby codes. League and union require different skill sets—league is faster and more explosive, while union demands greater endurance and set-piece expertise. A quality specialist will tailor their program to your position and the code you’re playing.

Key criteria:

• Certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or USA Weightlifting.
• Experience working with rugby players, ideally at the collegiate or semi-pro level.
• Knowledge of injury prevention strategies specific to rugby (e.g., shoulder and knee rehab).

Rugby in Chicago is at a crossroads, and Nawaqanitawase’s story is a reminder that the sport’s future will be shaped by the choices of athletes, coaches, and fans alike. Whether you’re a player looking to make the leap between codes, a parent navigating youth rugby, or just a fan curious about the sport’s growth, the key is to stay informed—and to seek out the right local resources to help you along the way.

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