By Adrian Proszenko and Michael Chammas
A little more than a month after representing Australia at the Olympics, Mark Nawaqanitawase will celebrate his anticipated cross-code switch with an NRL debut in league’s most fierce rivalry.
Nawaqanitawase will run onto Accor Stadium in jersey No.20 for the Roosters in Friday’s clash with arch-rivals South Sydney after only three appearances in the NSW Cup.
That was all it took for Roosters coach Trent Robinson to be convinced his prized recruit is ready for the rigours of first grade. While the Roosters don’t want to rush his progression, the chance to blood him in a game that will have little bearing on their finals campaign was too good to pass up.
Robinson has also handed a debut to giant teenage prop De La Salle Va’a, while fellow 19-year-old Blake Steep is set to play his third NRL game in place of Lindsay Collins.
In three games in reserves, Nawaqanitawase has scored two tries, made three line-breaks, notched a line-break assist and averaged 173 running metres. The 23-year-old is expected to replace winger Dominic Young, who is in doubt due to a calf injury.
With the side ravaged by injury – Brandon Smith and Sam Walker suffered serious knee injuries, while Victor Radley is unlikely to play again this season due to a shoulder issue – Robinson opted to give Nawaqanitawase a run before the finals.
It was initially thought Nawaqanitawase’s decision to play rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics – which occurred after the June 30 transfer deadline – would preclude him from playing in the NRL this season.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his Roosters debut.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
However, the NRL cleared the St Patrick’s College Strathfield graduate an early start after initially signing a two-year deal that was to begin in 2025.
“At the end of the day I’ve crossed over to play NRL,” Nawaqanitawase told this masthead last month when asked about playing NRL in 2024.
“Obviously, it would be nice if the opportunity came.
“I’ve got some learning to do first so I can give the coaches confidence to pick me. I’m in a good position at the moment to learn as much as I can.”
It has been a roller-coaster ride to the NRL. In the space of a few months, Nawaqanitawase has switched codes, mourned the passing of beloved stepfather, Aisake Tovehi, and fulfilled an Olympic dream.
“What words can I use? I would say it was an unreal experience, an experience unlike any other,” he said of his Paris sevens campaign. “It makes it so special, and you realise how lucky you are to be able to do that. It’s a really special thing to do before [switching codes].
“I thought I did my job well. We had a great team and the boys did their jobs as best we could. For me, personally, I was grateful I even got on.”
Another former Wallaby, Carter Gordon, has also made the switch to league, with the Gold Coast Titans. Gordon has been playing in the Queensland Cup in preparation for NRL action next year.
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