{"id":915169,"date":"2026-10-03T22:58:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T22:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/915169\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T22:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T22:58:15","slug":"nrl-grand-final-inside-the-rise-of-sydney-roosters-star-mark-nawaqanitawase-rugby-union-background-wallabies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/915169\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL Grand Final: Inside the rise of Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase, rugby union background, Wallabies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mark Nawaqanitawase can expect a civic reception when he traipses back into the world of rugby union in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

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Before then, the mercurial Roosters winger is hopeful of giving the rugby league world his very own send-off, as the \u2018sadness\u2019 of his NRL departure begins to sink in.<\/p>\n

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As Nawaqanitawase prepares to farewell the Roosters with the ultimate parting gift \u2013 a potential premiership trophy from Sunday\u2019s grand final against Newcastle \u2013 former club enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has reflected on the moment he realised the 26-year-old had the gumption to be one of the game\u2019s best.<\/p>\n

In this foxsports.com.au feature, Nawaqanitawase also speaks about his emotions departing the NRL, while another club great Cooper Cronk shares why the rugby-bound star has revolutionised the NRL in the space of two-and-a-bit years. <\/p>\n

THE HARD-NOSED ROOSTERS ENVIRONMENT THAT CREATED A STAR<\/p>\n

Irrespective of the reception Nawaqanitawase receives when he joins Japanese rugby union side Saitama Wild Knights, it will likely be a very different scenario to his highly publicised code defection from the 15-man game to the Sydney Roosters midway through the 2024 NRL season. <\/p>\n

Back then, Roosters enforcer Waerea-Hargreaves welcomed Marky Mark to the club in his own indomitable style: with opens arms as well as open hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess when you\u2019ve such a talent that comes to the club, you want to expose him to what he\u2019s about to endure,\u201d the Roosters premiership-winning forward reflected with a hearty chuckle this week.<\/p>\n

Nawaqanitawase had just represented Australia in rugby sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics before joining the Roosters on a two-year deal from 2025. He was brought into train with the Roosters much earlier than that, with his first day involving some wrestling sessions alongside team personnel.<\/p>\n

In time he would be pitched against club hard men JWH and Dylan Napa on the wrestling mats, and they were sure to welcome the new recruit accordingly \u2013 showing him (in the most endearing way) that wrestling took on another intensity in professional rugby league. <\/p>\n

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n

“I think Mark will be quickly forgotten” | 02:58<\/p>\n

\u201cYou talk about the intensity of rugby league and the intensity of sessions. That was one of the early sessions that Mark, myself, Naps and few other guys got to enjoy,\u201d Waerea-Hargreaves said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just showing a sign of respect and trying to train at an intensity; going after each other and set the standards. You\u2019re trying to show a new guy that you\u2019re welcoming him into the club and a way of showing him respect and asking him, \u2018Are you capable enough of enduring this for as long as you want?\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two things were established on the wrestling mats that day. In Mark\u2019s own words the sessions confirmed he was \u201cshocking\u201d at wrestling and gave him room to improve. Secondly, the new recruit wasn\u2019t shy on spirit or toughness.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t want to quit,\u201d JWH remembered. \u201cHe took it as a lesson. He was super positive about it and saying, \u2018OK, this is the standard\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rugby union sessions probably aren\u2019t as intense as the league ones. But we wanted to welcome him in with open arms. All I can remember was him taking it as a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nawaqanitawase\u2019s mental fortitude ultimately gave Roosters coach Trent Robinson \u2018no option\u2019 but to consider him for first grade before the end of that 2024 season, and much earlier than originally planned. <\/p>\n

The new recruit quickly impressed Roosters coaching staff and players with his meticulous approach, as well as some of his otherworldly instinctive talents on the training paddock.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe signed with us towards the back end of the season, and you knew that he was a hell of talent,\u201d JWH reflected. \u201cWhen you got to see him day-in, day-out on the training paddock, it wasn\u2019t a surprise when you saw what he did on the weekend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was fortunate to play with him in the one game at the back end of 2024. He scored on debut against the Bunnies in the corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Mark Nawaqanitawase in action for the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n

While Nawaqanitawase boasted a stacked resume in rugby union, his potential in the NRL remained relatively unknown before 2024 \u2013 even if he had spent a short amount of time training in a Roosters pathways program 10 years earlier.<\/p>\n

The eventual cross-code international made rugby union his focus from a young age, revealing this week that his mum \u201cwould never let me\u201d trial in representative rugby league sides in those formative days. <\/p>\n

In any case, Waerea-Hargreaves knew pretty quickly that his then-new teammate had the chops to make it in the NRL, and to be special on his own terms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anything, he\u2019s done it on his own. When you\u2019ve got a guy that can produce such amazing things, he pretty much picks himself. Robbo couldn\u2019t not pick him. I know he really wanted to give him an opportunity or taste of first grade before going into the 2025 season, and lucky enough he was able to do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see the freakish ability and to see what this guy does week in, week out \u2013 I don\u2019t know who to compare him to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n

Nawaqanitawase eyes fairytale finish | 01:59<\/p>\n

THE COOL HEAD BEHIND FREAKISH ON-FIELD TALENTS<\/p>\n

The consensus is that Mark Nawaqanitawase has helped develop a new blueprint for NRL wingers with his ability to turn games upside down through 2026.<\/p>\n

Whether it be at club level, or State of Origin, the Roosters flyer is treated as a different kind of threat from opposition defences. <\/p>\n

According to Roosters premiership winner Cooper Cronk, Nawaqanitawase\u2019s instinctive reads are among the most incisive in the NRL. Combined with impressive handling skills, it makes the 26-year-old dangerous any time he has the ball in his hands. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou almost have to treat him like a halfback,\u201d Cronk said. \u201cAs soon as there\u2019s space you just felt something was going to happen. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the great players have time, they tear you apart. The thought has always been when there is a great playmaker, shut down their time and space. Mark is in that category now because if Greg Marzhew and the left edge defence of the Newcastle Knights, if he gets a ball and they freeze, it\u2019s like they put concrete in their shoes. <\/p>\n

\u201cMark will tear you apart. He will step off his right, he\u2019ll push the outside, he\u2019ll flick the ball around. He just carries a rugby league ball like it\u2019s a ping-pong ball and can just hold it out like a magical wand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robbo ready for FOURTH premiership shot | 13:04<\/p>\n

For Waerea-Hargreaves, who has regularly spent time with Nawaqanitawase in a development role at the Sydney Roosters this season, the 26-year-old\u2019s freakish ability comes down to his demeanour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe man he is, the humility in the man \u2013 he\u2019s such a positive guy. This Fijian nature that comes out in him, it\u2019s pretty special,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where I believe he gets this sixth sense and the ability to perform like this. Because of his personality. It\u2019s his personality that expresses his talent. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe never really thinks anything is too hard. There\u2019s nothing mentally really stopping him doing anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was in his prime when he was playing for the Wallabies. He was playing for the Sevens, he was playing Wallabies. I think his mentality about things, the way he does things is in such a positive manner. That\u2019s what got him the opportunity at the end of 2024, and the past two seasons: his personality, the way he expresses himself as a man, and the humble and positive man he is, when he steps out on the footy field, it shows who he is.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Fijian, freakish talent that he has, we\u2019ve always seen what Fijian players are capable of producing on the field. He\u2019s got that in spades.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans wave and greet Mark Nawaqanitawase. (Photo by Ayush Kumar\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Fijian outlook means Nawaqanitawase\u2019s approach to Sunday\u2019s grand final isn\u2019t being clouded by outside noise whatsoever. He is simply treating the occasion as another game, and another opportunity to put his best foot forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just do my job,\u201d he replied this week when asked about the pressure of game day. \u201cIt\u2019s another week so I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a different game too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe atmosphere will be amazing and I know the Knights will be up for it. We just have to make sure we do our job and the rest will do itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try not to buy into the big thing as much, because it might be a distraction. I don\u2019t really get caught up in last game or grand final.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other unspoken element in Nawaqanitawase\u2019s freakish ability is his upbringing. This week, he credited all the backyard footy he played as a kid being a key factor in his free-spirited approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy childhood and my upbringing is definitely a big reason, I think, as to why I can have some fun out there. I have a lot of fun and try new things and it has made me who I am,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents just said, \u2018Go outside and play\u2019. Mum definitely encouraged it and I was lucky enough to grow up in the same neighbourhood as my cousins so I was playing every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

WHY YOU\u2019D NEVER RULE OUT AN NRL RETURN<\/p>\n

When NRL boss Peter V\u2019landys interrupted an interview with Nawaqanitawase during this week\u2019s Dally M Medal gala celebrations, telling viewers that he cannot be lost to the game, it doused fuel on hopes that the Roosters flyer could one day return to top-flight rugby league.<\/p>\n

Before then the cross-code star has plenty in front of him, first in Japanese rugby union, and then to fulfil his dream of playing for the Wallabies in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n

Nawaqanitawase said the penny hadn\u2019t quite dropped on him leaving the NRL when foxsports.com.au spoke to him this week, but he was hopeful of soaking up the week\u2019s celebrations and reminiscing with team mates during quieter moments, including over a coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the last week with everyone, which is sad. But it hasn\u2019t hit me yet; I\u2019m still excited,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a long week, so I\u2019m looking forward to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go out there and do everything I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Nawaqanitawase is eyeing a fairytale farewell. (Photo by Darrian Traynor\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

For JWH, Marky Mark\u2019s presence in this week\u2019s grand final is tinged with some sadness, as he will leave an enormous hole in the NRL and at the Roosters.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see him leave at the end of the week, it\u2019s such a shame. But who knows. He\u2019s a guy that loves a challenge, and he\u2019s going to go fulfil some dreams in rugby union, with the Wallabies, travelling the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho knows, he\u2019s still young. Fingers crossed he comes back to the Roosters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irrespective of Nawaqanitawase\u2019s future, Waerea-Hargreaves said his transformation from wrestling partner to NRL superstar \u2013 and a good friend \u2013 filled him with admiration, both as a player and a person.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see him transition into the player he is at the moment \u2013 just the instinctive, natural ability, to see how much he\u2019s developed \u2013 it\u2019s impressive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not too many athletes that can do what he does, and he does it every single week. He\u2019s a hell of a talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of sad to see the club and the game losing such a talent. Gee I wish he was staying.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mark Nawaqanitawase can expect a civic reception when he traipses back into the world of rugby union in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":915170,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-915169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/915169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=915169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/915169\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/915170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=915169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=915169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=915169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}