Trent Robinson says ‘no expectations' for Mark Nawaqanitawase in NRL Roosters debut against Canterbury Bulldogs

Trent Robinson is placing no expectations on Mark Nawaqanitawase as the cross-code star prepares to make his Sydney Roosters debut only 21 days after his Olympic campaign ended.

A member of the Australian rugby sevens team that placed fourth at the Paris Games, Nawaqanitawase reported to Roosters training for the first time last Saturday and will line up on the wing in NSW Cup this Sunday.

The clash with Canterbury at Wentworth Park is to continue a remarkable career for Nawaqanitawase, who will have played for the Wallabies, represented Australia at an Olympics and pulled on a Tricolours jersey in the space of 10 months.

The whirlwind arrival comes after the Roosters made a mad dash to fast-track Nawaqanitawase’s code switch from 2025 to this season, with his contract approved only hours before the mid-season transfer window closed on July 1.

But a first-grade debut has never been on the cards for Nawaqanitawase this season, Robinson considering the former Wallaby a long-term investment.

“He’s a learner, so picking up things day on day has been really good,” the coach said.

“But there’s no expectation about the performance, it’s all about experience. Get a feel for how six tackles work, the 10 metres, the defensive decision-making and all those things.

“He knows the game, he hasn’t been in it for a week. Since he signed, I can imagine, he’s been dreaming about this, for a long period of time, which is part of the preparation as well.

“Just get out there, get started and then we’ll get our learnings week on week.”

The NSW Cup hit-outs will be crucial preparation for Nawaqanitawase, set to help replenish the Roosters’ outside-back stocks after Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii defect to rugby union over the summer.

The 23-year-old is also set for a front-row seat to their finals campaign as the third-placed side closes in on a first top-four finish since 2020.

“He gets to be around our side during the most important part of the year so I’m sure he’ll learn a few things,” said forward Victor Radley.

Nawaqanitawase has already impressed the Roosters with his physical condition, and his mental fortitude to begin training so soon after the recent death of his stepfather.

“He was a very important man in his life and guided him a lot as his stepfather and it’s been a really difficult time,” Robinson said.

“As we know, when we’re going through those times, I think it’s doing things that you enjoy and love is going to get you back in. So I feel like the focus of this has been really good as the family is still dealing with the grief of that and he is as well.”

The Roosters return from the bye to face a Parramatta side that would have upset triple reigning premiers Penrith last week, but for a late Nathan Cleary masterclass.

Having leaked 64 points across their last two games, Robinson’s side are targeting defensive improvement against the 16th-placed Eels, who have had their best fortnight since axing long-term coach Brad Arthur in May.

“It’s about putting it together, tackling better and moving better as a line,” Robinson said.

Nat Butcher will miss Friday night’s home clash after struggling to recover from a rib cartilage issue over the bye.

Winger Dom Young will need to overcome a minor hamstring issue to line up.