The one-time Wallabies outside back will debut in the 13-a-side game a week out from the finals.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will make one of the most anticipated NRL debuts of the season when he lines up for the Roosters against arch-rivals South Sydney on Friday night.
Just a month after representing Australia in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics, Nawaqanitawase will run onto Accor Stadium in jersey No.20. It has been a rollercoaster ride for the former Wallabies star, who has impressed in his three NSW Cup appearances for the Tricolours.In the space of a few months, Nawaqanitawase has switched codes, mourned the passing of beloved stepfather Aisake Tovehi and earned himself a first-grade berth for the injury-ravaged Roosters.
While the Roosters don’t want to rush his progression, the chance to blood him in a game that will have little bearing on their finals campaign was too good to pass over. “At the end of the day I’ve crossed over to play NRL,” Nawaqanitawase told this masthead last month when asked about playing NRL in 2024.“I’ve got some learning to do first so I can give the coaches confidence to pick me. I’m in a good position at the moment to learn as much as I can.”
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