Nawaqanitawase flew to Darwin with the Australian sevens team on Sunday for a camp, and coach John Manenti is set to finalise his 12-man squad by the end of the week. The team will be officially named by the AOC on July 3.

The Roosters have asked NRL head office about the possibility of an exemption to the June 30 cut-off if Nawaqanitawase misses Olympic selection, which would make him potentially available at the start of July.

A post-Olympics registration, beginning in August, if Nawaqanitawasegoes to Paris, has also been raised.

“At this stage the Roosters have expressed interest in bringing Mark Nawaqanitawase prior to his contract start date,” his agent, Milan Volavola-Shankar, told this masthead.

“We are in the midst of discussions and negotiations with Rugby Australia about the prospect of an early release subject to his pending selection in rugby sevens for the Olympics.”

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said last week he would not stand in the way of Nawaqanitawase, or Gold Coast signing Carter Gordon, seeking early releases to join the NRL.

Roosters halfback Sam Walker, Rabbitohs star Jack Wighton (both careless high tackles) and Warrior Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (dangerous throw) were among a host of players issued monetary fines for minor offences in Saturday’s games.

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