'A reflection of the Jones era': Sonny Bill has his say on Wallaby's deflection

SPOTLIGHT: All Black legend Sonny Bill Williams has blamed Eddie Jones and former Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan for Mark Nawaqanitawase’s defection to Rugby League.

Earlier this month it was revealed that the rising Wallaby star will jump codes and join Rugby League powerhouse Sydney Roosters in 2025.

Nawaqanitawase, 23, played 11 Tests and was a standout performer for Australia in their disastrous World Cup campaign under Jones in France this year.

“I just thought that was sad,” Williams told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

“I thought that was just a reflection of the Jones, McLennan era – what I saw.

“How can we have arguably the best player on tour and only in his early 20s jump ship? It should be the time of your life.

“Unless he’s going through some mental health issues and all of that – but obviously, he isn’t – how can that occur? You should be loving the environment.

“That was a reflection of that. That’s what I believe.”

Despite the disappointing news, Williams believes there will be other players in Nawaqanitawase’s mould waiting in the wings.

“I’m telling you, there are a lot of that Nawaqanitawases out in Western Sydney,” said Williams.

“There are a lot of these players that we need to find in Australia. When you say, ‘Oh, are we fearful of losing these top players?’ You get the system right? Players come, players go – hold on to the ones that you need to hold on to.

“You don’t overly stress on the fact that there’s no talent coming through because it’s there you just need some strategies and pathways put in place where we can see and start seeing some of those players come through.”