Only game in town: Roos flyer tips league to make its mark

He may be returning to rugby union in 12 months, but Mark Nawaqanitawase is happy to publicly discourage fans from watching the Wallabies next weekend.

The Sydney Roosters winger became the first union-to-league Australian dual international in 34 years when he made his debut in the Kangaroos' 26-6 Test win over England at Wembley.

The second Test of the Ashes Series at Liverpool's Hill Dickinson Stadium clashes with the Aussie rugby union side meeting England at Twickenham.

However, the man they call “Marky Mark” decided to fly the flag for his adoptive code in the face of fears Australia have England’s measure in the 13-a-side series and casual fans will switch.

“I felt like we left a lot of points out there,” Nawaqanitawase said. “I’m sure the English side will have a few things to fix up as well so I think the contest next week is going to be amazing.

“So hopefully people tune into our game and not the other game.”

Nawaqanitawase said playing his first league international was “very similar” to turning out in a similar union fixture.

“The atmosphere’s amazing - it’s something you want to be a part of,” he said. “There was 60,000 out here - it felt like 120,000. It’s always special.”

The 25-year-old said it was “on the cards” that he would return to league and was an enthusiastic supporter of early plans to open the 2027 NRL season with matches in multiple overseas cities.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said. “Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo are running a great ship and it’s another step to taking the game worldwide.

“I’d love to see it and I think a lot of people around the world would love to see it. It’s a great game and there’s plenty more to come.

"It’s going to widen the appeal. If they can get it to all these different types of cities, people will fall in love with it.”