Mark Nawaqanitawase, the prime producer of NRL highlights, will soon be lost to rugby league at the age of just 26. His performances have been described as “freaky” and “ridiculous”, but he is due to return to rugby union as early as Saturday night, unless the Roosters can overcome Cronulla in their semi-final. To say Nawaqanitawase is much loved at Moore Park undersells the widespread affection for him.
Officials at the Roosters and Rugby Australia are neighbours in the offices next to Allianz Stadium, and neither has any ill-will towards the winger, despite both losing him as a player during a three-year period in which Nawaqanitawase has reached almost inconceivable cross-code heights. His most recent test for the Wallabies was in October 2023 at the Rugby World Cup. The following year he helped Australia to their best men’s rugby sevens finish at the Olympics, finishing fourth.
Six weeks after that experience in Paris he had scored on his NRL debut for the Roosters. Last year he led the NRL in tries and was selected for the Kangaroos even after declaring he would leave the code within 12 months. This year he helped New South Wales to a State of Origin series victory and scored twice on his Blues debut at the MCG.
Nawaqanitawase, who turned 26 last week, will depart for Japanese League One rugby union club Saitama Wild Knights as soon as his Roosters commitments finish. Whether it’s next week, the week after, or the one after that, a code-hopper from a previous generation will be there to meet him. It’s ridiculous.” Nawaqanitawase’s most recent try was another “Marky Mark” special, after he stretched for, juggled, then secured the intercept of a Panthers’ pass in the clash on Sunday won narrowly by Penrith.
But he has become more of the winger demanded by the modern 13-a-side game. His run metres per match have increased from 138 metres to 168 metres, and he is now an adept defender having become accustomed to the demands of the NRL in his second full season. Roosters captain James Tedesco was equally gushing this week, of Nawaqanitawase the player and the person.
His duel with Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo from round 16 is etched in the memory of Roosters fans. At the end of a testy contest, Nawaqanitawase crossed for two match-sealing tries. The pair will meet again on Saturday.
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