CARDIFF – Mark Nawaqanitawase has explained his attacking mindset and says he’s staying “chill” despite his meteoric rise from sixth-choice Waratahs back to one of the Wallabies’ great next hopes.
On a gloomy end of season Spring Tour, the 22-year-old has been one of the shining lights for the Wallabies.
He was arguably the only positive coming out of the Italy disaster and once again the Test rookie starred during the Wallabies’ three-point loss against Ireland in Dublin last weekend.
As The Roar colleague Nick Bishop wrote on Tuesday, Nawaqanitawase has given the Wallabies a point of difference and, for the first time since Israel Folau’s messy departure from Australian rugby, an aerial threat.
The sight of him climbing over Irish defenders, including Canberra-born Mack Hansen, was something to behold on a freezing evening at Aviva Stadium.
The winger is 192cm – one centimetre shorter than Folau, who scored 37 tries for the Wallabies and won the John Eales Medal three times after making his debut on the wing against the Lions in 2013.
He also has the unique ability to offload, something the Wallabies have lacked in recent years. The leaps and offloads are qualities Folau had in spades.
But you won’t hear the Eastwood outside back put tickets on himself.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing I guess, just keep to myself,” he said. “I’d like to think I’m chilled, so just don’t read into anything and just keep enjoying it and having fun.”
Nawaqanitawase had a team-high 15 runs on the weekend, making 54 metres with the ball, beating four defenders, and getting away three offloads.
But more than the numbers it was Nawaqanitawase’s willingness to get involved from the outset that had observers captivated.
Nawaqanitawase, who cut an imposing figure at training throughout the week in long tracksuit pants and a singlet, said it wasn’t so much a licence he had to go hunting for the ball but an inner confidence to back his ability.
“I’d like to think I’ve got an offload game there,” he said. “It’s definitely something I feel I can get in terms of my game, I think I can get through contact most of the time and I’m fortunate enough to have some long arms so I try look for the boys when I’m out there.
“They (the coaches) always give you the license, it’s just whether or not you’re going to do it yourself. Some players hold back a bit with like systems and stuff like that, but I think I’m just confident in myself to go out there and just go looking for it.”
Throw in Jordan Petaia, who starred off the bench in one of his strongest performances in gold since debuting in the 2019 World Cup, and the Wallabies have two aerial threats on the wing and dual targets on either side of the field.
Len Ikitau said it was exciting to have those two options.
“It was awesome to have Marky on the wing there,” Ikitau said.
“Obviously he’s excellent under the high ball, and when Jordie came on we had two wingers who you just had to kick them the ball and they’d get up for it and get it back for us.
“I think it just gives us two big wingers who are willing to carry and then if the ball goes up, getting up for the ball, so it was awesome.”
Ikitau has been the one constant in a team that’s ever-changing.
The outside centre, who has missed just one Test this year due to a calf injury, said it was “on the players” to deliver against Wales at the Principality Stadium on Sunday (AEDT).
“Dave’s got an awesome system and the way he wants to play and I think for us it’s going out there and executing and I just don’t think we’ve been doing that the last couple of weeks, especially against Italy. It’d be nice to finish off the last game with the win and go forward from there.”
Not for the first time this year Ikitau was forced to shift to inside centre against Ireland after Hunter Paisami’s injury.
The Brumbies centre, who grew up playing rugby league, admitted shifting one spot closer to the action was testing him, but added that he was constantly looking to try to spend as much time in the role during training.
“I was thinking about that actually. I’ve played 12 maybe three times my whole career and it’s against the All Blacks, South Africa, Ireland, so that’s three big teams and it’s pretty tough,” he said.
“I always say to Wisey (attack coach Scott Wisemantel) that I need reps at 12 just in case injuries happen, and that proves why. I’ve enjoyed it. I love playing 13 but 12’s a good learning experience.”
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Yes, that's true, I'll give you that. Shame it was all downhill from there. It's interesting isn't it? Cheika built no depth at all, heavily favouring (or at least appearing to favour) his own Waratahs players with very few other players coming through in critical positions. Rennie is being criticised for shuffling the deck too much, with quite a bit of depth but no firm decisions.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
If he wants to play on the world stage then he is open to that criticism. Playing 10 for your country is not for L platers. He needs to go back to provincial rugby for a few years and come back more confident. He is the worst 10 I have ever watched for any international team. Pity the coaching staff can’t recognise it.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Let’s not forget he did get a loose bunch of players into a World Cup final in less than 12 months.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Christy, some nice verse there, thank you. However, May we please stop with the fanboyism? Mark is a new player on the scene, please let him be him, without nonsensical “comparisons”.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Tooly reckoned Will Miller was the best 7 in Aus after he’d retired. Anything he says is at least 2 years out of date
Andrew Gallagher
Guest
Could you drop the reference to Izzy please. Average journalism Let Mark be mark.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Hard to win rugby without a good tighthead prop. Make that your King.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
You're right Morsie. That change was quite clear part-way through the Super season, and good on him! The work has got the reward.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Good for you Ken glad you're satisfied. :thumbup:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
No one has coached me and I reckon Rennie has made a few mistakes but still doing good for the Wallabies.
Guess
Roar Rookie
I miss Jeffrey :unhappy:
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
The same could have been said for all 2022 fixtures sadly. I'm still waiting for a game where everyone tries their hardest and keeps their discipline. If they do that then they'll beat Wales.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Tupou has bought into his hype
Guess
Roar Rookie
The system is called “gotta do better and watch your discipline” :silly:
Guess
Roar Rookie
You should teach him. You know everything
Guess
Roar Rookie
Wow a bit too harsh on lolesio :laughing:
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Same could be said for many about Wright.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
If he wants to stay chill and avoid expectation I hope he doesn't read Roar.
Nick the yabbie
Guest
I think saying rugby is like a game of chess, means to me to be a metafor. Rugby is a thinking game like chess. Thats why coach dave should get the wallabies to read the world rules of rugby, and then have an exam. Who ever fails, gets sent back to rugby league. We had smart people once playing our game, not sure anymore.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Tooly makes this statement about Nawaqanitawase and a few others all the time. It doesn't matter what they do on the field, once Tooly makes a judgement about a player (and most of his judgements are wrong) he never lets reality intrude.