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The superstar finished his time in the NRL on the ultimate high.
Roosters hero Mark Nawaqanitawase admits it’s ‘sad’ to depart the NRL moments after premiership gloryNawaqanitawase 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. 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.
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.
“This is going to last me a lifetime. Nawaqanitawase also paid tribute to superstar teammate James Tedesco, who won the Clive Churchill Medal.
“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.
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. Talks are reportedly already underway for the superstar to return to the Roosters after his stint in Japan finishes.
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