Dual-international Lote Tuqiri has backed Mark Nawaqanitawase’s decision to keep his international options open and questioned why Zac Lomax was not selected to start for Australia A against the United States.
Nawaqanitawase has not yet decided whether to represent Australia, Italy or Fiji at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite interest from Rugby Australia and the NRL. Tuqiri, who has played for both Fiji and Australia in rugby league as well as the Wallabies, said the winger should be given time to make his choice.
“I like the fact he’s got the balls to stand on 10 toes and do what he’s doing,” Tuqiri said.
He added: “There’s a calling for it. I know it’s hard to fathom when you’ve played in a different jersey. It’s more so the pride it gives you; it makes you puff out your chest.”
Tuqiri said Nawaqanitawase’s position was understandable, particularly after the player was left out by former Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in mid-2024 following his decision to sign for the Sydney Roosters. Nawaqanitawase later represented Australia at the Olympics in sevens.
“He hasn’t made up his mind yet, has he? He should be given the time to do that,” Tuqiri said.
The former winger also suggested Rugby Australia needed to do more to maintain relationships with players, including those who leave Super Rugby. Nawaqanitawase is due to spend two years with Japan’s Wild Knights before a possible return to rugby league, where NRL chief executive Peter V’landys has made clear his interest in bringing him back.
“I don’t think we do enough,” Tuqiri said. “I reckon he’s probably got a bad taste in his mouth from the last time he put on the rugby jersey.”
Tuqiri was particularly surprised by the omission of Lomax from Australia A’s starting side for Sunday’s match against the United States in Nashville. Lomax, who scored twice in seven appearances for the Western Force, was added late to the squad but was overlooked in favour of Dylan Pietsch and Tim Ryan on the wings.
“You’d think you’d give him a crack,” Tuqiri said. “But just from an outside looking in, just give him a go.”
Lomax’s progress has been interrupted by a groin problem, while he is set to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028. Tuqiri argued that Australia A should be used to assess his potential rather than leave him out of the starting line-up.
“You can’t give away Test jerseys, but Australia A is a mechanism to test players out,” he said. “It’s a development team and this guy’s a part of your development.”
Tuqiri said Lomax should be tried on the wing, rather than moved into the centres as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was after switching from rugby league.
“You’ve only got him for 12 months. We’ve got to pick your best team and you’ve got to give him a chance to put his hand up because you know what he can offer,” he said.
Australia A prop Tom Robertson said the squad viewed the Nashville fixture as a significant opportunity, with players aiming to push for Wallabies selection less than a year before the World Cup.
Robertson said the team had attracted attention in the city, where locals sometimes mistook rugby for wrestling. He added that Nashville was working to build its rugby profile ahead of the United States hosting the 2031 World Cup.
