Nawaqanitawase played schoolboy rugby for
St Patrick's College, Strathfield. As an adult, he began his first-class career with
Eastwood RFC in the
Shute Shield competition. With his similarities in height, position, body type, and playing style, Nawaqanitawase has been likened to former
Waratahs fullback and dual
Australia and
Tonga representative
Israel Folau.
NSW Country 2018–19 Nawaqanitawase began his professional career in 2018, signing with the
NSW Country Eagles in the
National Rugby Championship. He scored his first professional try in a 24–24 draw against the
Fijian Drua on 14 September 2019. He scored another three tries in a year which saw the Eagles win the
Horan-Little Shield for the first time since 2016. Following the 2019 season, the NRC competition was disbanded including franchises.
Waratahs 2020–22 Nawaqanitawase signed to the
Waratahs squad for the 2020 season. He made his
Super Rugby debut against the
Crusaders on 1 February 2020, scoring two tries in a 42–23 loss. He scored another try the following week against the
Blues. Nawaqanitawase finished his debut season having played 9 matches and scoring 4 tries. In 2021, despite a disappointing year for the club, Nawaqanitawase extended his contract with the Waratahs until the end of the 2023 season. Nawaqanitawase had a breakout 2022
Super Rugby Pacific season, starting in 10 of his 12 matches, scoring seven tries and playing a total of 842' in a year which saw the Waratahs finish 6th on the ladder and reach the Quarter-finals.
Japan In January 2026,
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Nawaqanitawase had signed a two-year deal for more than 1 million a season to play for an unnamed club in the
Japan Rugby League One (JRLO), with strong interest also coming from clubs in the
French Top 14. As he has been inactive internationally for Australia's first, second, and
sevens national teams in rugby union since 2024, and since
Rugby Australia (RA) scrapped
Giteau's law in August 2025, Nawaqanitawase would be eligible to represent
Australia,
Fiji or
Italy by the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Australia A In 2022, following an incredibly successful year with the Waratahs, Nawaqanitawase was named in the
Australia A squad for the
Pacific Nations Cup. Australia A finished runner–up in the tournament. Nawaqanitawase was again named in the Australia A squad for the three-match series against
Japan. He played in two matches and scored two tries in the series win.
Australia In 2022, Nawaqanitawase was named in the
Australia squad for their 2022 spring tour. On 13 November 2022, Nawaqanitawase was named in the number 14 jersey in his debut match against
Italy which the Wallabies lost 28 to 27. On 27 November, he scored two tries against
Wales helping leading the Wallabies to a 39 to 34 win. Nawaqanitawase represented Australia in the
2023 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby sevens Nawaqanitawase was named in the
Australia sevens team for the
2024 Summer Olympics in
Paris. The team finished in fourth place. ==Rugby league career==