Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries as the Sydney Roosters defeated the Newcastle Knights in Sunday's NRL grand final in Sydney, capping a remarkable two-year league stint that included a premiership, State of Origin and Kangaroos honours.
The 26-year-old winger finished with 47 tries in 47 NRL matches, including seven in his last four appearances. He will now return to rugby union with Japanese club Saitama on a two-year contract.
Coach praises 'adventurer'
Roosters coach Trent Robinson described the departing winger as "a bit of an adventurer," referring to Nawaqanitawase's decision to switch codes. "He's always going to travel and play in those different codes," Robinson said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if you see him back one day. I feel like he's made a big difference to us. And we've also made a big difference to him."
Robinson joked that when Nawaqanitawase arrived at Moore Park nearly two years ago, his "arms were painted on" and he "could not tackle." The coach's public ribbing underscored the winger's now unquestioned brilliance.
Grand final heroics
The grand final provided more evidence of Nawaqanitawase's impact. He scored two tries, nearly added two more, and produced at least half a dozen moments that would be highlights for most other wingers. While other Roosters were booed by the largely Newcastle-supporting crowd, Nawaqanitawase received cheers.
"When he gets the ball, you sort of go: 'OK, um, what's going to happen here? What can he do?'" Robinson said. "When other people get the ball in the same situation, you sort of know what's going to happen. When Mark gets it, there's like this energy that 'OK, he can do something here', always. And he believes he can do something always."
In the first half, Nawaqanitawase leaped high for a ball and his knee hit Greg Marzhew's face on the way down, rotating him towards the touchline. The angle of his re-entry was worsened by Kalyn Ponga's impact, forcing the winger's reaching arm to drop the ball for a near-miss. Shortly after, he batted back another kick, which Ponga picked up to run the length of the field for a Newcastle try.
A ball from Rob Toia bounced towards Nawaqanitawase, and he kicked it forward three times before regathering for the Roosters' crucial first try after a dominant but unrewarded first half.
Farewell to the NRL
Nawaqanitawase scored another try in the second half and came close twice more, adding late offloads, audacious kicks and tough carries to his farewell performance. Newcastle's forwards were gradually undone, and their attack led by Ponga was limited to just two linebreaks by the sliding Roosters centres Billy Smith and Toia.
His contract with Saitama, with a reported annual salary of $1.4m, was eye-watering when revealed in January. After his recent exploits, it is starting to look like a steal.
Robinson hopes Nawaqanitawase will return to the Roosters after his two years in Japan, which bookend next year's home Rugby World Cup. "I'm just trying to think of a winger that's had as bigger impact," Robinson said. "What Mark's done from the wing, wingers touching the ball in so many different types and styles and that. I hope he's created another generation of those types of players."
