Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has delivered extraordinary praise for Mark Nawaqanitawase, describing the departing winger’s control of the football as the finest he has witnessed during his coaching career.
The former Wallabies star produced another remarkable piece of skill on Saturday night, delivering an instinctive flick pass while surrounded by defenders to create a try for Robert Toia.
Nawaqanitawase appeared to be running out of room near the sideline when he managed to release the ball through traffic, allowing his teammate to complete the attacking move.
For most players, the pass might have been regarded as a fortunate piece of improvisation. However, the winger has repeatedly produced similar moments since moving from rugby union to the NRL, making his unpredictable attacking ability one of the Roosters’ most dangerous weapons.
Robinson said Nawaqanitawase possessed more than ordinary individual talent, highlighting what he called the player’s exceptional “ball mastery”.
The coach explained that the winger could control and distribute the football from almost any position around his body, adjusting his hands and passing technique even while moving at speed or being tackled.
Robinson said he had coached many outstanding players during his long tenure at the Roosters but had never seen anyone demonstrate that skill at a higher level.
He compared Nawaqanitawase with cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams, who became famous for his offloading ability during three seasons with the Roosters between periods in rugby union.
Robinson said Williams was one of the few players capable of similar feats, but suggested Nawaqanitawase had taken that type of ball control to an even greater level.
The praise carried special meaning for the 25-year-old, who regarded Williams as one of his sporting idols while growing up.
Nawaqanitawase said he regularly watched online videos of Williams producing spectacular passes and offloads, making Robinson’s comparison particularly humbling.
The winger has already developed his own collection of memorable moments, including an extraordinary behind-the-back pass that also created a try for Toia against Parramatta last season.
Nawaqanitawase said those plays were not planned before matches and instead came naturally when he found himself in difficult attacking positions.
He explained that years of handling and experimenting with a football had helped him understand what he could do with it. The major change at professional level, he said, was having enough confidence to attempt those skills during matches.
In the latest incident, Nawaqanitawase initially intended to score himself but quickly realised several defenders were closing in and that he was running out of space near the touchline.
With only a brief moment to react, he recognised that an unconventional flick pass was the best way to keep the attack alive.
The spectacular play completed a memorable week for the winger, who had recently celebrated his first State of Origin series victory with New South Wales.
His attention may now turn towards representing Australia at the Rugby League World Cup before he returns to rugby union at the end of the season.
Australia is scheduled to begin its tournament against New Zealand on October 15, but Nawaqanitawase’s participation remains uncertain because of his impending move to Japanese rugby club Saitama Wild Knights.
The winger said he would need to discuss the tournament with his future club and determine whether the timing would allow him to join the Australian squad.
He described the opportunity to play in a World Cup as an exciting prospect and said he would be eager to participate if permission were granted.
However, he acknowledged the final decision would depend on negotiations with Saitama and the obligations attached to his new contract.
A World Cup appearance would provide Nawaqanitawase with a high-profile farewell to rugby league following his short but highly entertaining period in the NRL.
His return to rugby union will end a Roosters chapter in which his athleticism, aerial ability and creative passing established him as one of the competition’s most popular attacking players.
While Nawaqanitawase considers his immediate representative future, veteran Roosters winger Daniel Tupou is also weighing a major career decision.
The 35-year-old recently became the first player to score a hat-trick in his 300th NRL appearance, adding another milestone to an already distinguished career.
Only two players in the competition’s history have scored more tries than Tupou, who continues to perform at a high level despite being one of the league’s oldest outside backs.
The Roosters are reportedly keen for him to continue into the 2027 season, but Tupou said he had not yet decided whether he was prepared to complete another demanding pre-season.
Reaching 300 matches had been one of his major career goals, and he said he would now speak with his manager before determining his next move.
Tupou’s decision will be closely watched by the Roosters, with the experienced winger remaining an important figure both on the field and within the club’s leadership group.
The uncertainty surrounding Tupou and Nawaqanitawase means the Roosters could face significant changes to their wing combination at the end of the season.
For now, however, Nawaqanitawase continues to create memorable moments while pursuing a possible World Cup appearance, and Tupou remains capable of adding further achievements to one of the club’s greatest careers.
