Roosters hero Mark Nawaqanitawase admits it’s ‘sad’ to depart the NRL moments after premiership glory
The superstar finished his time in the NRL on the ultimate high.
Premiership hero Mark Nawaqanitawase has admitted it is “sad” to depart the NRL, moments after helping the Roosters to glory in the grand final.
Nawaqanitawase scored two tries as the Roosters overcame an early 12-0 deficit to eventually defeat the Knights 19-18 in a thriller.
The superstar has showcased superhuman skills in his short and brilliant NRL stint so only he could conjure up something new in the biggest game of his life.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Nawaqanitawase, who has Italian heritage, was a talented soccer player when he was a youth and his grandfather had hoped he might pursue the round ball game.
Those skills came to the fore when he performed a serviceable impersonation of Italy soccer great Francesco Totti on the cusp of half-time, deftly toeing the ball beyond Knights defenders with both feet before collecting to score.
“He came up with something we haven’t seen before. This guy is incredible. He sees things that we can’t even imagine,” Brad Fittler said in Channel Nine commentary.
The try got the Roosters moving on the scoreboard and their big game players Daly Cherry-Evans, James Tedesco and Sam Walker stepped up to secure victory in the second half.
Nawaqanitawase scored a second try, as he does, with panache.
The 25-year-old will now soak up the premiership glory before heading to Japan to link up with the Saitama Wild Knights.
Speaking on field after the grand final, Nawaqanitawase paid tribute to the fans who clearly have loved every minute of his two-year stint.
“I love them and I’m happy that I could share this win with them and and the club,” he said.
“This is going to last me a lifetime.
“It’s sad to go. But I love everyone here. Love all the boys. And let’s celebrate this win.”
Nawaqanitawase also paid tribute to superstar teammate James Tedesco, who won the Clive Churchill Medal.
“I’m just so happy I got to play with him and get this win with him,” he said.
“He’s amazing. And just like everyone in the team, everyone put in the effort tonight.”
Nawaqanitawase has won so many games for the Roosters in his short stint but even he would admit Knights talisman Kalyn Ponga was a more than worthy foe in the first half.
Firstly with a desperate tackle to dislodge the ball as the Roosters star went to put it down.
Then when Nawaqanitawase batted the ball back near the tryline, Ponga simply wanted it more than anyone else on the field, pouncing with sublime anticipation to score a 90m try.
But for Nawaqanitawase, it was the perfect send off, but he might not be lost to the NRL.
Talks are reportedly already underway for the superstar to return to the Roosters after his stint in Japan finishes.
The Roosters are also farewelling retiring five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans and Angus Crichton, who is also defecting to rugby.
— With AAP
Originally published as hero makes ‘sad’ admission moments after glory
