It’s not every day you see an Australian rugby player pull off a code switch from the Wallabies to the NRL, but Mark Nawaqanitawase did exactly that. At 25 years old, the 191 cm winger has already represented Australia in both rugby union and rugby league. Here’s what we know about the rising star’s career, background, and the questions fans keep asking.
Age: 25 years old (as of 2024) · Height: 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) · Weight: 100.6 kg (221 lbs) · Position: Winger / Centre · Current team: Sydney Roosters (NRL) · Nationality: Australian
Quick snapshot
- Australian nationality with Fijian heritage (TBR Rugby (rugby analysis site))
- Height: 191 cm according to Wallabies profile (Wallabies Rugby (official Australian union site))
- Signed with Sydney Roosters in 2024 for 2025 start (BBC Sport (international sports broadcaster))
- Played 11 Tests for Wallabies by December 2023 (BBC Sport)
- Exact salary amount – not publicly disclosed
- Father’s identity – no verified source
- Injury history – no detailed records from official sources
- Relationship status – no confirmed girlfriend
- 2020: Super Rugby debut with NSW Waratahs (Sporting News Australia (sports journalism outlet))
- 2024: Represented Australia 7s in Paris (NIT (Australian news site))
- 2024: Signed with Sydney Roosters for NRL debut in 2025 (BBC Sport)
- Pre-season training with Sydney Roosters ahead of 2025 NRL season
- Potential debut in NRL round 1 – date TBD
- Long-term: could become a regular starter in the Roosters’ backline
Nine data points, one pattern: across four official Australian rugby bodies, the basic profile is consistent but minor discrepancies exist in exact height and weight. Here’s the full breakdown.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Ermanno Dukutoko Nawaqanitawase |
| Nickname | Marky Mark |
| Age | 25 (as of 2024) |
| Height | 191 cm (Wallabies profile) / 190 cm (Roosters, NSW Rugby) |
| Weight | 100.6 kg (Wallabies) / 102 kg (NSW Rugby) / 100 kg (Roosters) |
| Position | Winger / Centre |
| Current Team | Sydney Roosters (NRL) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnicity | Fijian and Italian heritage |
The pattern: The official sources agree on his age (25) and his role as a winger, but height and weight vary by a few centimetres and kilograms. This is common when measurements are taken at different points in a season.
What is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s nationality?
Mark Nawaqanitawase is Australian. He was born in Burwood, New South Wales, on 11 September 2000, according to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia). The Sydney Roosters (official NRL club site) also lists his birthplace as Sydney, NSW.
What ethnicity is Mark Nawaqanitawase?
He is of Fijian descent through his mother, and also has Italian heritage. A TBR Rugby (rugby analysis site) feature notes his mixed Fijian and Italian background.
What is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s mother’s nationality?
His mother is Fijian. This is confirmed by multiple sources, including TBR Rugby.
How old is Mark Nawaqanitawase?
He is 25 years old as of 2024. The Commonwealth Games Australia (official games body) lists his date of birth as 11 September 2000, making him 25.
How tall is Mark Nawaqanitawase?
The Wallabies Rugby (official Australian union site) lists him at 191 cm. The Sydney Roosters and NSW Rugby (state governing body) both say 190 cm. The difference is negligible for a professional athlete.
Why this matters: For a winger, height is a key asset in aerial contests. At 190–191 cm, Nawaqanitawase is well above the average NRL winger height of about 183 cm, giving him a natural advantage in high-ball situations.
How much does Mark Nawaqanitawase get paid?
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s exact salary has not been publicly disclosed. The BBC reported in December 2023 that he signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters starting in 2025, but the financial terms were not revealed.
Who is the highest-paid player in rugby?
The highest-paid rugby players are typically top-tier international stars in rugby union or elite NRL players. Nawaqanitawase is not among them. For context, top NRL players earn over $1 million AUD per season, while Wallabies stars can earn similar amounts. Until his contract details are public, his salary remains speculative.
The trade-off: Nawaqanitawase traded a guaranteed Wallabies contract for a fresh NRL start. The financial upside could be significant if he becomes a regular first-grader.
Why is Mark Nawaqanitawase called Marky Mark?
The nickname “Marky Mark” is a reference to the American rapper and actor Mark Wahlberg, who performed as Marky Mark in the 1990s. It’s a playful tag that fans and media have adopted.
How do you pronounce Mark Nawaqanitawase?
The pronunciation is approximately Nah-wah-kah-nee-tah-wah-say. The full name includes the middle names Ermanno Dukutoko, which reflect his Italian and Fijian heritage.
The catch: While the nickname is fun, it sometimes overshadows his actual name. For a player of Fijian-Italian background, “Marky Mark” is a lighthearted nod to pop culture, not a serious brand.
Who is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s girlfriend?
No verified information about a girlfriend or wife is available from credible sources. His relationship status is not publicly documented.
What this means: Fans searching for personal details will find a blank. Nawaqanitawase keeps his private life off social media, and no reliable outlet has reported on a partner.
Who is the father of Mark Nawaqanitawase?
His father’s name is not publicly documented. The only parental information available is that his mother is Fijian.
What is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s mother’s nationality?
As noted, his mother is Fijian. This is consistent across sources, including TBR Rugby.
The pattern: The absence of father’s details is common for young athletes who haven’t shared family backgrounds publicly. It’s a gap that may never be filled unless Nawaqanitawase chooses to discuss it.
Player Profile
Six key metrics, one takeaway: Nawaqanitawase is built for the modern rugby wing – tall, fast, and powerful. Here’s the spec sheet from official sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 September 2000 (or 11 October 2000 per Wallabies) |
| Age | 25 |
| Height | 190–191 cm |
| Weight | 100–102 kg |
| Position | Winger / Centre |
| Super Rugby Caps (Waratahs) | 47 games, 22 tries (as of 2024, per OnlySports) |
| Wallabies Tests | 11 (as of December 2023) |
| NRL Debut | Expected 2025 |
Why this matters: His try-scoring rate of 22 in 47 Super Rugby games (0.47 per game) is solid for a winger. If he can replicate that in the NRL, the Roosters have a dangerous finisher.
Timeline: From Waratahs to Roosters
Here’s a chronological look at the key moments of Nawaqanitawase’s cross-code journey.
- Early career: Played junior rugby league for Concord-Burwood Wolves and Leichhardt Wanderers before switching to rugby union at age 14 (TBR Rugby).
- 2020: Made Super Rugby debut for NSW Waratahs (Sporting News Australia).
- 2023 (December): Announced switch to rugby league, signing a two-year deal with Sydney Roosters starting in 2025 (BBC Sport).
- 2024: Represented Australia 7s in Paris, then joined Roosters’ pre-season training (NIT).
The implication: Nawaqanitawase is the first active Wallabies player to move to the NRL since Mat Rogers in 2007 (BBC Sport). That makes his transition historic, not just personal.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Australian nationality
- Height 190–191 cm
- Weight 100–102 kg
- Position: winger/centre
- Team: Sydney Roosters
- Nickname: Marky Mark
- Age 25 (2024)
- Mother Fijian
- Played 11 Tests for Wallabies
- Switched to NRL in 2024
What’s unclear
- Exact salary amount
- Girlfriend or wife
- Father’s identity
- Injury history details
- Date of birth: slight variance between sources (11 Sep vs 11 Oct vs 9 Nov 2000)
The catch: The confusion over his exact birth date across official profiles (Roosters, Wallabies, NSW Rugby) is unusual. It may be a clerical error, but it affects how his age is reported.
In his own words
“Off to Paris today with the 7’s, means my time at the @nswwaratahs has come to an end.”
– Mark Nawaqanitawase (Instagram, 2024)
“Mark Nawaqanitawase is unstoppable in the air at full flight.”
– Fox Sports (Facebook video caption, 2024)
What this means: The Fox Sports comment highlights his aerial ability, which is a prized asset in both rugby codes. The Instagram post shows his commitment to the sevens program before the NRL move.
Summary
Mark Nawaqanitawase is a rare cross-code talent who has already worn the Wallabies jersey and is now chasing NRL success with the Sydney Roosters. For Australian rugby fans, the question is whether he can become a dominant force in league, or if the transition will prove tougher than expected. The answer will come in the 2025 NRL season.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s cross-code journey has intrigued fans, and his ethnic background and salary provides further details on his ethnic background and salary.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Mark Nawaqanitawase?
He is 25 years old as of 2024, born 11 September 2000 per Commonwealth Games Australia.
How tall is Mark Nawaqanitawase?
Official sources list him at 190–191 cm.
What is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s weight?
Between 100 kg and 102 kg depending on the source.
What position does Mark Nawaqanitawase play?
Winger, and occasionally centre.
Which NRL team does Mark Nawaqanitawase play for?
The Sydney Roosters, starting in the 2025 NRL season.
Did Mark Nawaqanitawase play for the Wallabies?
Yes, he earned 11 Test caps for the Wallabies between 2021 and 2023.
What is Mark Nawaqanitawase’s try-scoring record?
He scored 22 tries in 47 Super Rugby games for the NSW Waratahs.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.