If any other player in the league had taken an intercept in a finals game near halfway, juggled the ball several times, rolled forward and then sprinted away to score, we’d be saying it was the craziest play of their career.
But according to his Roosters teammates, what Mark Nawaqanitawase did against Penrith was par for the course for a guy who has produced an unrivalled highlight reel in his short time in the NRL.
“Definitely not,” centre Robert Toia replied when asked if it was the freakiest play he’d seen.
“I think I’ve seen him pull that off so many times. So although it made me freak out like everyone else, I’ve had front-row seats to all this crazy stuff, so it’s nothing new to me.”
Toia has the best seat in the house given he plays inside the wizard on the wing, with Nawaqanitawase dazzling crowds across the country.
His tiptoeing effort down the sideline and acrobatic put-down against the Bulldogs last year would have made a tightrope walker proud, while his aerial feats belong in the NBA.
While fans marvel at what they see, his teammates are so used to it by now that nothing shocks them.
“It’s funny because we see it so much at training, it’s just become the norm,” edge forward Siua Wong said.
“So it wasn’t that freakish because I’ve seen him do it before, but I can understand from an entertainment perspective how instinctive that play was.
“He obviously plays a big role in our system, but because he’s got those types of moments and plays in him as well, it just makes him so special.
“To be honest, he pushes the limits every time, but he always comes back to knowing what his role is first for the team, and he picks his moments well.”
The former Wallaby – who will return to rugby at the end of the year – has also created some special tries with behind-the back flick passes that seem so easy when he does them.
There was one against the Eels last year at full speed that led to a try, but that had nothing on his flick pass in round 19 against the same opposition when he had four defenders on him but still managed to hit his teammate on the chest for a try.
Toia was the recipient of both of those passes and explained the role he had to play to be ready for the unexpected, with Nawaqanitawase to renew his rivalry with Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo on Saturday night.
“You don’t know what he’s going to do. We’re kind of just trying to be in a position where he could get you the ball. I think that’s just key,” Toia said.
“It’s been an absolute joy (to play next to him). Definitely off the field, he’s one of my great mates. He’s such a character and one of the most genuine guys you’ll meet.
“He’s so full of energy, and it translates to his footy as well. He’s able to express himself and do what he can do.
“It’s obviously going to be an absolute joy the next few games. Hopefully, we can send him off on a good note. But for next year, it’s going to be a sad day for the team losing a great bloke on the field and such a great bubble of joy off the field.”
Originally published as ‘You don’t know what he’s going to do’: Robert Toia has the best seat in the house as he explains the magic that Mark Nawaqanitawase brings