Mark Nawaqanitawase's return to Rugby Union leaves the Sydney Roosters with a big hole in their roster, but the club have shown throughout their 2026 season that the club is built around more than just one player.
The arrival of Nawaqanitawese shook up the competition, as the winger's natural talent proved invaluable.
He has established himself as a star winger and a dangerous attacking contributor for the Sydney side.
However, his rugby league career is coming to an end as he makes his return to rugby union in 2027.
The question arises: As Nawaqanitawese departs the club, can the Roosters replace such a unique talent?
It is extremely difficult to replace what the star brings to the Roosters. In 2026, he scored 16 tries in 20 appearances, six try assists, 17 line breaks, and 83 tackle breaks. The winger also averages 168 running metres per game.
That doesn't even mention his ridiculous effort against the Penrith Panthers last weekend.
Nawaqanitawese finished the 2025 season as the top try-scorer in the competition with 24 tries. His aerial ability and pure skill elevate the Roosters squad and provide a lethal attacking option.
The freakish talent the winger has allows him to set up teammates through his assists, often offloading the ball in unique ways and through difficult defence. The aerial ability of the star allows for the Roosters' halves pairing to seamlessly kick the ball straight to Nawaqanitawese.
The Roosters have shown their depth and have plenty of young outside backs coming through their system. Hugo Savala is an example of this; the traditional halfback is versatile and usually plays in the centres for the Sydney side. Savala would be completely capable of switching into the wings to provide a replacement for Nawaqaniatwese, if he was to be overlooked in the halves next given the emergence of Toby Rodwell.
Robert Toia and Billy Smith are also reliable options for the Roosters, even if they don't immediately replicate Nawaqaniatawese's skill set.
Then there is the signing of Reuben Garrick, who likely slots straight in to the vacant role.
Tom Rodwell is also at the club, and while they were rumoured to have signed Murray Taulagi from the Cowboys for much of the season, you could actually feasibly make the argument that maybe he isn't needed with Daniel Tupou, by all reports, set to play on for another season.
Finding a player to replace the Roosters' winger will be difficult; however, the Roosters can build through their pathways. Their young future of the club may hold the solution to filling the hole that Nawaqaniatawese will leave.
The challenge for the Roosters won't be finding another star winger to replicate a skill set; it will be to continue their success without the unique talent. With their strong system and future outside backs, the Roosters should remain successful without Nawaqaniatawese.
