Suncorp Stadium: It must have been bittersweet for so many league fans watching Mark Nawaqanitawase in full flight on Friday night.
The powerhouse winger produced another passage of absolute magic to set up a vital try in the second half as the Sydney Roosters booked a spot in next Sunday’s grand final courtesy of a 36-20 win over the Dolphins.
On the other hand, the NRL only gets to enjoy Nawaqanitawase another 80 minutes before he returns to rugby union and the Wallabies. What a bloody shame.
Of all the superstars in action at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, Nawaqanitawase was a standout. He bagged a double, set up Toia, and casually caught countless times with his big right hand out in front.
A week after his miracle flick pass for a try against the Cronulla Sharks, and a fortnight after one of the most spectacular intercept tries you will ever witness against the Penrith Panthers, Nawaqanitawase somehow stayed in the field of play to set up a vital try for Rob Toia.
The Dolphins trailed 16-10 early in the second half, and because they were coming off the bye, the locals expected the home team to be too fresh and finish over the top.
But a flat Daly Cherry-Evans kick sailed across field, Nawaqanitawase watched the ball bounce and briefly baulked in the hope Herbie Farnworth would commit to the tackle.
Nawaqanitawase then tried to get on the outside of his English rival, and despite getting tackled, somehow held the ball long enough before tossing it back in-field.
Bunker official Ashley Klein had a good look at the passage of play before agreeing Nawaqanitawase got rid of the ball before his right boot appeared to hit the touchline.
Toia scored, and the Dolphins virtually never recovered. Lindsay Collins scored next from close range, and when Victor Radley launched a monster cutout pass to an unmarked Nawaqanitawase to score approaching the hour, the Roosters were entitled to start daring to dream about a third title in nine years.
The win means Cherry-Evans gets a chance to sign off from the NRL after 16 seasons with another title.
Ditto, Angus Crichton who is set to join Nawaqanitawase in the Wallabies jersey next month.
The only sad news about the Roosters’ win was the independent doctor ruling Connor Watson out with a category-one concussion, which will rule him out of the decider in what would have been his Roosters’ final hurrah before joining St George Illawarra en route to the PNG Chiefs.
There will also be a nervous wait for Victor Radley who was penalised twice for first-half tackles on Farnworth, including one high shot and another where he came down on the back of the centre’s legs. He can only hope the match review committee believes Radley’s body weight mainly landed on the ground – not Farnworth’s legs.
On paper, the Roosters have one of the best rosters in the premiership, and anything other than a grand final appearance would have been viewed as a disappointment.
Coach Trent Robinson’s side is beautiful to watch when the passes stick and they back themselves to throw the ball around.
Their goal-lone defence this finals series has also been rock solid. The one try they conceded before half-time would have been a huge talking point had the Dolphins won in a thriller given the doubt about Jamayne Isaako put down in the right corner.
Isaako dived into the corner with part of the ball appearing to hit the touchline. Klein, however, was quick to give it the green light.
The Dolphins’ only other try also came about from a James Tedesco error after he spilled a high ball.
The big-game experience will hold them in good stead in the decider. They will have the luxury of an extra two days to recover compared to the winner of Penrith and Newcastle, while a front-rower like Spencer Leniu will be super fresh after not seeing any game time against Redcliffe.
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