Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase admits he has a "hard decision" to make after the NRL finals, with a home World Cup acting as a lure back to rugby union.
Nawaqanitawase looms as one of the genuine stars of this month's finals series, particularly if the Roosters can get past Cronulla on Saturday night.
Deemed ineligible for the NRL rookie of the year, the former Wallaby will walk away from his first full season in the league as the leading regular season try-scorer with 23 in 22 games.
Beyond his stunning strike rate though he has become a genuine drawcard, with the athletic flyer's freakish ability in attack providing some of the best tries in recent memory.
The Roosters winger is contracted to the club until the end of next year, having deliberately ensured he would be off-contract before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Speaking ahead of the Roosters' elimination final against Cronulla, Nawaqanitawase said he was still no closer to a decision on his future.
"It's actually going to be a hard decision," Nawaqanitawase told AAP.
"Because I love it, I love this club so much and I have loved my time here. I know the months after the season are going to be tough.
"It's obviously a grateful position to be in, in terms of making a decision, but it's going to be a tough one."
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper suggested last week that Rugby Australia should be "desperately trying" to get the 24-year-old back to the code.
Part of his suggestion included allowing Nawaqanitawase to make big money playing in an overseas league, while still selecting him for the Wallabies.
The Roosters are also keen to hold on to their stra winger, who is also available to be approached by NRL rivals from November 1.
Nawaqanitawase played 11 Tests for the Wallabies in 2022 and 2023, as well as featuring in the rugby sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Asked if a home World Cup was still a serious lure for him, Nawaqanitawase made no secret of its attraction.
"Definitely. I have played in (a World Cup) before and I know what it is like," he said.
"It's a home World Cup so it can't not be.
"2027 is a whole year and a bit away. Anything is possible.
"This is my first finals footy, so I am trying to do as well as I can here. So I am leaving that stuff to towards the end of the year and go from there."
Nawaqanitawase began this season with the goal of simply being a regular in the Roosters team, after being blooded into a stacked backline at the end of 2025.
He has far exceeded that, catapulting into Kangaroos contention since moving to the wing on Anzac Day, scoring 18 tries in 14 games in the position.
"It hasn't surprised me how quickly I have done it. I believed in myself and I felt I could do it," Nawaqanitawase said.
"I've obviously played wing professionally for the past few years, so it was something I knew how to do.
"There are a few changes here and there with the game, but it's something I have done in the past so I feel confident there.
"The guys I am playing outside are top-tier players, so it makes my job easier."