In the same month, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt praised the dual-code player’s aerial abilities and the value he could potentially bring to a team that struggled under the high ball during four Test defeats in Europe during the spring tour.
“I don’t think we’re discounting anybody in terms of players who have either been in the gold jersey before or have come through the school system and would potentially like to get involved in rugby again,” Schmidt said.
“Just because there is so much talent among some of those players and his athleticism in the air is not too different from Joseph-Aukus Suaalii. Having athletes like that is always something that would add value.”
The Wallabies remain relatively well-stocked on the wings – Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Corey Toole, Harry Potter and Andrew Kellaway spend plenty of time in the gold jersey – but Nawaqanitawase’s unique talents as a finisher and in the air would be hard to ignore for incoming coach Les Kiss.
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Nawaqanitawase will join a large Australian contingent in Japanese rugby that includes veterans Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley and Marika Koroibete. Former Wallabies coach Michael Hooper also recently served as an assistant coach at Toyota Verblitz.
In October, Wallabies 5-8 Noah Lolesio joined second division Japanese club Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi after suffering a serious neck injury against Fiji.
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