Mark Nawaqanitawase (rugby 7s) made his Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham where the team finished 4th after being beaten by arch rivals New Zealand in the bronze-medal game.

Born in Australia after his Fijian father Sevuloni Nawaqanitawase moved to Sydney in 1991 to play rugby league for Balmain, Mark also played the 13-man game before switching to union at St Patrick’s College in Strathfield when he was 14. He was scouted by Gen Blue coach Shannon Fraser in year 12 and began his senior career with Eastwood in the Shute Shield.

Nawaqanitawase made his Waratahs debut and was picked for the Junior Wallabies team in 2020 but 2022 was a breakout year for the winger who shone in Super Rugby Pacific and was drafted into the Wallabies’ squad a month before featuring at the Commonwealth Games. He made his Wallabies’ debut against Italy later in the year, then continued his outstanding form in 2023 where he was part of the World Cup squad in France.

Nawaqanitawase inked a deal with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL for the 2025 and 2026 seasons but has hinted at a return for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.