[3][4] He began playing rugby league at age 13 for the Cairns Kangaroos and attended Trinity Bay State High School, where he was selected for the Australian Schoolboys under-15 merit side in 2018.

[15][16] In round 3 of the 2022 NRL season, Nanai scored a hat-trick for North Queensland against arch rivals Brisbane in a 38–12 victory.

[18] In round 7, Nanai was sent to the sin bin and later scored a try during North Queensland's 30–4 victory over the Gold Coast.

[25] In round 4 against the Gold Coast, Nanai was sent to the sin bin and later suspended for two matches after a dangerous throw on Phillip Sami.

[26] On 25 July, it was announced that Nanai would miss at least four matches after he suffered a high grade AC joint injury during North Queensland's victory over Parramatta.

[27][28] Nanai played 13 games for North Queensland in the 2023 NRL season and scored six tries as the club finished 11th on the table.