Mark Nawaqanitawase is bullish about his prospects of filling the void left by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the Sydney Roosters as he adapts to considered one of, if not probably the most, difficult defensive positions in rugby league.
Identified virtually solely as a winger or full-back in rugby union, Nawaqanitawase was named to begin at centre in Sunday’s trial match with St George Illawarra.
He additionally hung out at full-back within the second half however isn’t any probability of usurping captain James Tedesco for the primary jersey.
Extremely rated teen Robert Toia is shaping as Trent Robinson’s proper centre alternative for Joey Manu, whereas former Wallaby Nawaqanitawase seems set to fill in at left centre.
Robinson mentioned Nawaqanitawase “might play wing [in the NRL] tomorrow and he’d be fantastic”.
However the Roosters coach is eager to take a better threat by deploying Nawaqanitawase within the centres, the place understanding the sport’s defensive nuances is paramount to make sure the winger will not be uncovered.
“Robbo is a giant defensive man. That is what we construct on right here on the Roosters,” Nawaqanitawase mentioned.
“I’ve had the entire pre-season to get numerous reps at that place, so I really feel like I’ve come out of the pre-season with numerous confidence by way of the decision-making and the contact that the centre place will carry.
“We work on our personal footage from coaching and the place there’s errors we have made or issues we have executed nicely.
“The primary focus is on your self, slightly than making an attempt to emulate somebody. There’s been previous gamers — Manu, Suaalii — they’ve executed it, so if I did ever have to I might return there [and look at what they did].”
Mark Nawaqanitawase flies for a attempt in his lone NRL sport up to now. (Getty Photographs: Matt King)
Sunday’s trial was solely Nawaqanitawase’s fifth skilled sport of league since switching from rugby union, enjoying one NRL match and three extra at NSW Cup degree.
With back-rower Angus Crichton and winger Daniel Tupou mainstays of the Roosters’ left edge, Nawaqanitawase might be surrounded by some outdated professionals as he adjusts to life as a league participant.
A rise in grappling classes additionally helped the 24-year-old deal with the intricacies of the NRL’s wrestle-like defence.
“Clearly there’s going to be much more assault coming my method,” Nawaqanitawase mentioned.
“[Grappling] is just about each day, and the contact.
“A few of the smaller guys — Nat Butcher, Connor Watson — you may inform they have been doing it for some time with the power they’ve.
“And once I get cooked, they know simply how one can make the most of it.”
The 11-cap Wallaby revealed he had a new-found respect for Tedesco after his temporary cameo at fullback.
“He is value each penny. It is a completely different place, fullback, and it is a credit score to him to have the ability to do this. They (fullbacks) are completely different beasts,” Nawaqanitawase mentioned.
Robinson is predicted to roll out the remainder of his huge names corresponding to Tedesco, Lindsay Collins and Tupou in Sunday’s trial towards Newcastle in Gosford.
AAP
