An unprecedented rule change from the ARL Commission has made Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase ineligible to receive Dally M Rookie of the Year honours at the sport’s night of nights.
Nawaqanitawase, who made his NRL debut last year, played 11 Tests for the Wallabies and represented Australia in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics before transitioning to rugby league.
During a breakout NRL campaign in 2025, the 24-year-old Sydneysider has scored 13 tries across 16 matches, prompting speculation he could be in the running for Rookie of the Year honours.
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However, as reported by The Daily Telegraph, the ARLC has introduced a revised clause for the award where cross-code stars with international experience in rugby union are deemed ineligible.
The new rule states: “Once a player plays five professional matches in any sporting code, league or competition as determined by the NRL (which will include without limitation the NRL Premiership, English Super League, Rugby Union or Rugby Sevens), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.”
Subsequently, Nawaqanitawase and any future cross-code stars that have played five or more professional matches in any sport won’t be considered for the Rookie of the Year accolade due to their prior elite-level experience.
Roosters assistant coach Matt King recently sang Nawaqanitawase’s praises, declaring: “He walked in and changed our environment, purely through the person he is. There’s no ego.
“He finished at the Paris Olympics, and three weeks later, he’s playing (reserve grade) in Glebe in front of three people. He just got on with it. He’s an incredible human.”
Nawaqanitawase’s omission opens the door for teammates Rob Toia and Hugo Savala to be considered for the prize, while Leka Halasima, Savelio Tamale, Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart are also in the running.
