Why Nawaqanitawase’s Roosters’ deal is about to become an even bigger bargain
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The Sydney Roosters remain a chance to receive salary cap relief for signing Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, but there will be no such concession made for Joseph Suaalii if he returns to Bondi after his own rugby deal expires.
The ARL Commission held its final meeting of the year on Thursday, where it was agreed to discuss the issue of rewarding clubs for signing players from rival codes to be at greater length next March as part of the game’s “strategy day”.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is keen to see clubs pursue talent in rival codes, especially with an 18th NRL team to be added as early as 2026.
The Roosters signed Nawaqanitawase on a two-year deal worth around $900,000, which will become an even bigger bargain should the ARLC rubber-stamp any dispensation policy before his arrival.
“The discounts were never going to be in place for 2024, but there is still an appetite for it,” V’landys told this masthead.
“We’ll discuss it at length next March. It was raised at a board meeting a few years ago, but I want to stress it was never about targeting Rugby Australia.
The Roosters remain a chance of receiving a discount for signing Mark NawaqanitawaseCredit: Getty
“The idea was about giving clubs a discount for signing any top player from another code who would add another dimension to rugby league.
“Mark Nawaqanitawase does not start in the NRL until 2025, so the Roosters could still be eligible [for dispensation] if we make a decision by then.”
There were questions raised in clubland about what would happen if Suaalii decided to return after finishing his three-year deal with Rugby Australia, and whether an NRL club would be rewarded for luring him back.
“But that won’t happen – the discount will only be for new players,” V’landys said. “If we allowed for that to happen, it would only encourage players to join rugby knowing they can come back at a discounted rate for clubs. That has already been ruled out.”
The only other genuine rugby target who has already sparked interest among NRL clubs is Max Jorgensen, who happens to be off contract at the end of next year.
NRL clubs will welcome being rewarded for unearthing talent in rival codes should a new team be up and running by 2026, and the depth of young talent spread even thinner.
V’landys confirmed expansion was discussed by the Commission, and an idea of where a new team will be based, and what year they enter the competition, would become clearer by the time next season’s competition kicked off.
Papua New Guinea has the support of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while there has been public interest from a fourth club in south-east Queensland, as well as Perth.
“All I can say about expansion is we’re definitely looking at it,” V’landys said. “All the hard work will be done in the next three months, and after that we’ll have a much clearer picture.”
The Dolphins, with Wayne Bennett at the helm, exceeded everyone’s expectations this year after pulling together a competitive team at short notice.
Bennett always maintained there was enough talent to field more teams, and said after the round-one stunning victory over the Roosters: “I believe the NRL did it right by not putting two teams in at once,” Bennett said. “That would have been a bridge too far. This team, let us settle down, give us a couple of years [to get established], then bring the 18th team in.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo will fly to Las Vegas on Saturday with players from the four NRL clubs taking part in next year’s historic double-header.
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