Mark Nawaqanitawase looks almost surprised when you ask him if he put a foot into touch as he produced yet another magical moment during the Sydney Roosters’ preliminary final win.
The Roosters triumphed 36-20 over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, which means Daly Cherry-Evans gets a shot to bow out of the NRL with another premiership.
It also means rugby league only has 80 minutes left to enjoy the brilliance of Nawaqanitawase before he returns to rugby and a Wallabies’ World Cup campaign.
What a shame Roosters supremo Nick Politis or someone just as powerful in rugby league circles cannot convince Nawaqanitawase to backflip.
“I still have another week – I’m still here,” Nawaqanitawase said.
As for putting that foot into touch as he was being tackled by Herbie Farnworth in the 45th minute, only to squeeze the ball back in-field for Rob Toia to score – a play which once again left those tuning in at home divided – Nawaqanitawase said: “My foot was out you reckon?”
“What about Jamayne Isaako’s try [before half-time]? I reckon I was in. If you watch it, [Dolphins playmaker] Kodi Nikorima holds back Rob Toia. That’s why I didn’t pass straight away; I didn’t want to throw it to him while he was being held,” he said.
“I can believe we’re going to play in a grand final because we’ve done a lot of hard work. I can’t wait.
“I’ve watched that many grand finals. Last year I was at the grand final doing a Telstra promo.
“I was there for the start, then I left because I don’t like watching too much footy. I watched a bit and was like, ‘I want to be here next year’. Now here we are.”
Bunker official Ashley Klein needed several looks at Nawaqanitawase and whether his right boot brushed the paint. He did likewise with Isaako when he planted the ball down in the right corner. Those blowing up about Nawaqanitawase’s pass dribbling forward to Toia was rubbished by officials late Friday.
Nawaqanitawase is a genuine star who has not ruled out a return to the Roosters after he pursues his latest rugby goals, and insists any NRL comeback will only be in the red, white and blue.
He bagged a double and ran for more than 300m.
“I’ve had more than a great time, I love this club and all the people involved and the NRL – they’ve been amazing to me and my family,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“Why am I leaving? It’s another opportunity for me, and there are a few things in the future I want to get involved with.
“I have two years on my next contract, which I’m looking forward to. I still have another week here. A week can be a long time, and I want to enjoy it.”
The Roosters are stacked with talent, so much so that anything less than a grand final appearance would have arguably been a fail.
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.
Coach Trent Robinson, however, said Watson was initially ruled a category two, only for the independent doctor to say it was a grade one a few minutes later in the sheds.
“He’s in the middle of doing his tests now to see where he’s at – I’d say it’s ‘watch this space’ on Connor,” Robinson said.
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.
Spencer Leniu was left on the bench, with Robinson opting for Angus Crichton, and praising Leniu for his selfless response to warming the bench for 80 minutes.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
From our partners
About the Author
