His first international match was against Tonga, at Suva, on June 8, 1983. He was also part of the 1987 Rugby World Cup roster, as well of the South Pacific Barbarians during their 1987 tour in South Africa. Later, Nawalu played for the Japan national rugby sevens team, with which he played the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Nawalu was the first Fijian player to play in a Japanese team, when he played for Hino Motors.