Mark Nawaqanitawase has enjoyed a dream debut for the Sydney Roosters but revealed the concerns of his mother meant his trailblazing football journey almost never passed into the NRL.
Only 40 days after playing Olympic rugby sevens for Australia, Nawaqanitawase opened the scoring in Friday night’s 36-28 defeat of South Sydney, allaying any concerns of his ability to adjust to a third professional code.
The strapping 11-time Wallaby signalled himself as an aerial threat, proved handy defusing kicks in the back-field and ran for 122 metres in a debut that had initially been slated for 2025.
But coach Trent Robinson saw enough in three NSW Cup games to fast-track Nawaqanitawase’s entry into the big-time, the winger now on track to replenish a depleted back-line next season.
“He just looks comfortable,” Robinson said.
“That’s his fourth game of rugby league since he was 15. It’s a pretty good job. That means he’s a quality player and he’ll continue to get better.”
A Wallaby, Olympian and now NRL player all inside 12 months and before his 24th birthday, Nawaqanitawase is nothing short of an unstoppable footy force.
But there was a time when Nawaqanitawase’s league dream appeared under threat from the concerns of his mother, Fiona.
“She wasn’t very keen on me playing league,” the winger said.
“Mums are mums and I’m her baby so she doesn’t want to see her kids get hurt or bashed up. I guess that’s every mum.
“She didn’t like the thought of me getting into a brutal game so she’s still trying to get used to it.”
Nawaqanitawase’s mother was in the stands at Accor Stadium on Friday night as part of a healthy contingent of family and friends.
When Nawaqanitawase soared above Tyrone Munro to field Luke Keary’s cross-field kick early in the first half, planting the ball down for a first NRL try, his nearest and dearest went berserk.
“Using my aerial skills is something I thought I could bring to the game, and I’m happy that I was able to execute it for the boys and the team,” he said.
“I was very fortunate that our team was moving up to the try line and it just happened that the kick was the right option. I just threw myself to it and gave it all I had.
“It was a good start for me.”
Robinson rested regular wingers Dom Young and Daniel Tupou but confirmed they were on track to return for the club’s first finals game – likely to be against Penrith.
That’s set to leave Nawaqanitawase to wait until 2025 for a second NRL appearance.
Nawaqanitawase is hopeful that now she has witnessed his safe and successful completion of a maiden NRL game, his mum will be onside for 2025.
“Hopefully that game ticks one box and it can slowly build whenever I get another opportunity,” he said with a smile.
Source Agencies
