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Mark Navaganitawase has added a State of Origin series win to one of the most eclectic and impressive resumes in Australian sport.
The 25-year-old represented Australia at the Olympics, Rugby World Cup, Kangaroo Tour and Commonwealth Games over four years.
But the sight of Nawaganitawase clinging to Nathan Cleary in Blues crosses, hugging the star midfielder – as well as Liam Martin – and jumping up and down in unbridled joy after NSW’s 30-12 win at Suncorp Stadium showed just how much his latest achievement meant.
“She’s among them all,” said Navaganitawase, donning a 2026 Champions jersey in a jubilant NSW dressing room on Wednesday night.
“I’ve been a part of a lot of good things and I’m just grateful to be here and just trying to enjoy it.
“Champions by birth? Far away, man.”
The scenes in Brisbane were a far cry from those in Lyon at the end of 2023, when the Wallabies crashed out at the Rugby World Cup in France. Navaganitawase and his teammates were left searching for answers after a humiliating 40-6 defeat to Wales, one of the darkest nights in Australian rugby history.
This disappointment was one of the factors that prompted a frustrated Nawaganitawase to switch codes. Seeking to satisfy a passion for rugby league that had persisted for years, he abandoned the game in which he had emerged as one of Australia’s brightest talents, drawing comparisons with Israel Folau.
He finished the 2024 season with the Waratahs, represented Australia in the rugby sevens tournament at the Paris Olympics, then joined the Roosters where he quickly established himself as one of the NRL’s most feared outside backs, topping the competition’s scorers list in his debut season in 2025.
Navaganitawase will return to rugby next year after a stint with the club in Japan before likely facing the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
A frustrated Mark Navaganitawase after Australia’s 40-6 defeat to Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Getty
From missing the first Origin squad to being called up late for Game 2 while watching film on the sofa, Navaganitawase has had a whirlwind introduction to State of Origin. He scored two tries on his debut in Melbourne and then backed that up with another influential performance in Wednesday night’s series-clinching win.
While Joseph-Aukuso Suaali continues to struggle with the weight of expectations surrounding his lucrative return to rugby, Navaganitawase is thriving.
Queensland tested him repeatedly with high kicks on Wednesday night but he showed again why NSW coach Laurie Daly has faith in him.
“It was one of the best decisions of my life to come here, try something new and be part of a great Roosters team with great people. Tonight is just a bonus,” Navaganitawase said.
“The best part is that all of us here – players, coaches and staff – they can’t take that away from us. Now it’s going to be there forever. A lot of people were against us and we’ll hold on to it forever.”
A premiership with the Roosters would be the ideal farewell before Navaganitawase returns to rugby, although the way Cleary and Penrith croon may prove his biggest hurdle.
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Navaganitawase made the final pass for Cleary’s second try, another reminder of his composure with the ball in hand. Sometimes a winger can be guilty of trying to force a miracle play, but few players have his ability to create or finish a try.
“He just continues to show how great he is,” Cleary’s Navaganitawase said. “I know there were a lot of people against him, but he came out and made some big plays for us. It’s an honor to play with him.”
Cleary has overcome almost every challenge rugby league has had to offer. Perhaps one day he will be tempted to scratch that rugby itch.
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Tom Desent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or e-mail.