Billy Slater believes the “freakish” type of Mark Nawaqanitawase may earn the Sydney Roosters star a call-up to the Kangaroos squad later this yr.
The 23-year-old has taken rugby league by storm over the previous yr, bringing his abilities throughout from rugby union and changing into a real family identify.
Nawaqanitawase has scored 16 tries, produced seven attempt assists and damaged 93 tackles in his first full season of NRL, serving to the new-look Chooks stand up the ladder.
READ MORE: ‘All that has modified’: Roosters gamers activate Smith
READ MORE: Hird rips precedence pitch from ‘wealthiest membership within the AFL’
READ MORE: Crunch board assembly to find out Knights coach’s future
Alongside the best way, the person dubbed “Marky Mark” by footy followers has give you extra spotlight reel performs than most gamers may give you of their total careers.
His newest piece of brilliance – an unbelievable flick move for teammate Robert Toia – despatched followers and consultants right into a frenzy, regardless of the aspect’s loss to Parramatta.
A type of admirers is Slater, who was in awe of the talent on show from the previous Wallabies flyer not solely on Saturday evening, however all year long.
“That was in all probability one of the best flick move I’ve seen – it was a bullet,” the Maroons coach stated on 9’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“He was going into contact and it hit Robert Toia on the chest and he simply fell over the road.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s flick move 9
“He is executed some particular issues. He is an exquisite participant. I believe he is implausible, I like the best way he performs. He is bought nice strengths, he is good underneath the excessive ball and he is a giant, highly effective type of get out of hassle participant as effectively.
“Once they get it proper the Roosters, they unlock all this expertise on this footy crew and he is definitely one. When he will get the ball, he can do some freakish issues.”
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership dwell and free on 9 and 9Now.
Nawaqanitawase’s kind and the actual fact the Roosters are closing in on a finals berth has seen a push for him to be included in Kevin Walters‘ squad for the Ashes collection develop.
Whereas there are many different outdoors backs who may earn choice, the real X-factor and game-breaking means that Nawaqanitawase possesses is hard to miss.
Mark Nawaqanitawase Getty
Slater believes it is solely a matter of time earlier than Nawaqanitawase is on the largest stage.
“I get the sensation that the Roosters jersey is not the one one he is gonna be sporting within the subsequent couple of years,” Slater stated.
“I believe he is gonna be sporting a few different jerseys – possibly a inexperienced and gold one on the finish of the yr.”
Ought to he earn a debut for the Kangaroos, he would be part of the likes of Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Israel Folau as dual-code internationals for Australia.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sonny Invoice Williams and Sam Burgess have additionally performed on the worldwide stage in each league and union.
