Nor, he said, would his ascent back to the gold jumper be a fait accompli.
“I think that boundary’s moved a little bit,” Kiss said, when asked if Nawaqanitawase’s prospects would improve be playing on Australian shores.
“It took him time to get the skill set going in rugby league, but I have no doubt he’ll come back and add something for sure. Every year, every player grows a bit, and the wisdom he’ll get from what he has learnt from the rugby league game will be fantastic.
“We’ve got wingers currently in the Wallaby set-up and the Super Rugby teams, but he brings that sense of instructiveness into the game – he’s not afraid to roam around the park and make moments his own and create opportunities for people.
“It’s not that different to what we’ve got at the moment with Lipo [Filipo Daugunu] and Max Jorgensen and those boys doing similar. He’s going to have to earn his way.”
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However, former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans – now the director of rugby at Wild Knights, which includes 59-Test flyer Marika Koroibete – hinted players highlighted closer to home may come into stronger consideration.
“There’s now a queue there, there are lots of good wingers in Australia. How Les handles those decisions will be interesting,” Deans said, who took Australia to third place in the 2011 World Cup.
“It’s getting harder, and that’s what you want – you want blokes to want to be nearby so they’re being seen because unless you’ve got a point of difference, if you’re somewhere else, it’s very hard.
“He [Nawaqanitawase] has obviously enjoyed the experience he’s had and what he’s about to have will be good for him as an individual. He’ll bring that back with him, and he’s already performed well at an international level, so that’s great for rugby.
“But for me, more importantly, it’s the messaging. Both he and Joseph [Suaalii], the way they talk about rugby’s point of difference I think is a very important message – you want to see the world and play in a game that’s the ultimate team game.
“That’s a great message for the next generation.”
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