Buzz: Mark Nawaqanitawase v Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii statistics reveal NRL, Roosters’ big win over rugby
The stats don’t lie. Rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase is a far better player than the man he replaced at the same stage of his career - Wallabies’ $5m man Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals the Roosters’ win.
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Statistics reveal rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase is a far better player than the man he replaced at the same stage of his career in the Sydney Roosters backline – the Wallabies’ $5 million man Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii.
Nawaqanitawase has clearly had more impact than Suaalii in a statistical comparison from their first eight games in the Roosters jersey.
Nawaqanitawase has made nine line-breaks to Suaalii’s one, 30 tackle busts to Suaalii’s 12, scored six tries to Suaalii’s two and also run more metres on Code Sports Stats.
And he’s getting paid about a third of the money that Rugby Australia is giving Suaalii.
Admittedly Suaalii was only 17 when he debuted but the stats don’t lie.
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The Roosters have dodged a bullet by refusing to get involved in a cross-code bidding war with rugby union as the 24-year-old Nawaqanitawase emerges as such an outstanding winger, centre or fullback and a future State of Origin player.
We’re not sure it will happen this year but there’s no question he could play Origin with more experience, especially in defence, in future years.
Meanwhile Suaalii is playing for the Waratahs who were flogged by the Brumbies on Saturday night and have their finals hopes hanging by a thread.
Nawaqanitawase has been a smash-hit success for the Roosters.
Few outside backs in the game have such an all-round skill set with the speed, strength, aerial skill, a beautiful passing game and a player who knows how to find the tryline.
Now it’s a matter for the Roosters to lock him down long term.
Nawaqanitawase is one of several outstanding young Roosters players who are coming off contract at the end of next season and are free to chat to rival clubs from November.
We’re talking about the likes of Blake Steep, Hugo Savala, Naufahu Whyte, Sandon Smith and Siua Wong.
It’s a dangerous position to be in when new clubs the WA Bears and PNG start looking to fill their 30-man rosters.
The Roosters have emerged in recent weeks from what was supposed to be a rebuilding year into a definite finals contender.
They were far too strong for the Dolphins on Friday night and have now won three of their past four games.
The fans are now asking why they would even entertain signing Manly Sea Eagles veteran Daly Cherry-Evans, who turns 37 next year.
They have Sam Walker to return while Smith and Savala have been playing so confidently and so well.
They also have an outstanding young halfback coming through in Toby Rodwell, who was man of the match in the Roosters’ S.G Ball (under-19s) grand final win over Parramatta on Saturday.
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Originally published as Buzz: Mark Nawaqanitawase v Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii statistics reveal NRL, Roosters’ big win over rugby
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