Super Rugby: Tahs fullback Mark Nawaqanitawase being hailed as the next Israel Folau
Mark Nawaqanitawase has well and truly put himself in the frame to make the Waratahs’ run-on side when the Super Rugby season kicks off in less than a fortnight. Now if only everyone could pronounce his surname!
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Mark Nawaqanitawase is a name that Australian rugby fans are going to hear a lot of in the future – even though he expects hardly anyone will be able to pronounce his surname properly.
The Waratahs winger-fullback is so used to people struggling to say his 14-letter, 7-syllable name right, he has a simple solution for everyone:
“Just call me Mark,” he said.
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“All through school, all the teachers and my mates trying to pronounce so I just tell them Mark is easier instead of having to try 17 times just to get it.”
His team mates call him “Marky Mark” but if the 19-year-old’s first outing with the Waratahs 40-21 trial win over the Highlanders is any guide, the FOX rugby commentary team are going to be saying his full name a lot this season.
Already dubbed the next Israel Folau, Nawaqanitawase has well and truly put himself in the frame to make the NSW run-on side when the Super Rugby season kicks off in less than a fortnight.
A late bloomer who has enjoyed a meteoric rise since being selected for the Waratahs Gen Blue academy in 2019, he was part of the Junior Wallabies squad that made last year’s Under 20s World Cup final and looked right at home stepping into senior level.
Born in Sydney, his mother is Italian-Australian and his father is Fijian rugby league player Sevuloni Tuisorisori, who persuaded his son to switch from league to union in high school.
Unfazed, Nawaqanitawase made a huge impression in his first senior outing, with new Waratahs’ coach Rob Penney describing him as a “gem” for the composed way he went about his work and the eye-popping skills he showed.
“I just go out there and play. Whatever happens happens,” Nawaqanitawase.said.
“Sometimes if I can see it’s on, I can see it’s on. You just go with it.
That’s exactly what’s got Penney excited, not only about Nawaqanitawase but also the other talented Junior Wallabies he’s been hired to help develop as they transition from age-group to open rugby and none of the youngsters showed the slightest hint of being overawed by the situation.
“Angus Bell (prop), Joey Walton (centre), the whole lot of them, Will Harrison (five-eighth) everyone, It looked like it was natural out there,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“They didn’t have nerves, it was good to watch. Everyone looked comfortable where they were so I don’t think that the thought of ‘we are versing a super rugby team’ was in our minds and at the end of it everyone was really happy with the win.
“It was good to get the win, the boys are still excited but again it’s only the first game so just moving on to next weekend.”
Originally published as Super Rugby: Tahs fullback Mark Nawaqanitawase being hailed as the next Israel Folau