No Lions regrets for former Wallaby Nawaqanitawase

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MELBOURNE - Riding high in Australias National Rugby League, Mark Nawaqanitawase has no regrets about spurning a once-in-a-career chance to play the British amp; Irish Lions but the lure of a home World Cup could see the former Wallaby back in a gold jersey.

Nawaqanitawases switch to the 13-man game has been an unqualified success, and he currently ranks joint-fourth among try-scorers in his first full NRL season with the Sydney Roosters.

In May, one of his four-pointers against the Canterbury Bulldogs went viral on social media, generating over 70 million views of an audacious chip-and-chase that flirted with the touch-line and was lauded as the try of the decade.

Little wonder the frizzy-haired 24-year-old feels comfortable with his defection, which made him the first active Wallaby to cross to rugby league in nearly two decades.

Life is great. It is amazing, Im living the dream, Nawaqanitawase told Reuters.

Im very happy with the decision Ive made. That feeling hasnt been there in terms of missing out (on the Lions) or anything like that.

And yet Nawaqanitawase cannot help but be swept up in the rush of the Lions tour.

He will be in the crowd cheering on his former Super Rugby teammates when the New South Wales Waratahs take on Andy Farrells men at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

Nawaqanitawase has another 18 months left on his Roosters contract and boxes to tick; an NRL championship being high on the list and maybe selection for New South Wales in the annual State of Origin series next year.

Though capped 11 times for the Wallabies and having represented Australia in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics, his NRL experience has boosted his