3 months ago
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Outstanding Sydney Roosters centre Mark Nawaqanitawase has been denied the chance to win this year’s NRL rookie of the year award.
The ARL Commission this week changed the eligibility rules, which state a player is only a rookie if they have played less than five professional matches in any sporting code – not just the NRL.
Nawaqanitawase has represented the Wallabies, played rugby sevens for Australia at the Paris Olympics and had been a professional sportsman for the past seven years before causing all sorts of damage out wide for the Roosters this season with his speed, height and power. He produced the try of the year against the Bulldogs in round 11.
Roosters fans will argue Nawaqanitawase, 24, should be honoured for his first-year feats to recognise how well he has adjusted to rugby league.
When this masthead raised the issue of Nawaqanitawase being in the rookie of the year race in May, one reader pointed out Nigel Mansell had been a Formula One champion only to win “rookie of the year” when he switched to the IndyCar circuit in the early 1990s.
Nawaqanitawase has certainly made an immediate impression at the Roosters, with assistant coach Matt King admitting in the same story: “I’ve got three young girls, and if one of them ever brings home a man like Marky Mark, I’ll be happy as – he’s such a good fella.
Mark Nawaqanitawase after scoring a contender for try of the season against the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
“He walked into and changed our environment, purely through the person he is. There’s no ego. He finished at the Paris Olympics, and three weeks later he’s playing [reserve grade] in Glebe in front of three people. He just got on with it. He’s an incredible human.”
The ARLC rule now states: “Once a player plays five (5) professional matches in any sporting code, league or competition as determined by the NRL (which will include without limitation the NRL Premiership, English Super League, Rugby Union or Rugby Sevens), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.”
Nawaqanitawase’s ineligibility opens the door for Roosters teammates Rob Toia, who played Origin football for Queensland this year after just 10 NRL games, and Hugo Savala to win the rookie award.
Other candidates in the running include Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima and Canberra flyer Savelio Tamale – who started the season on fire before succumbing to a knee injury – while Dragons duo Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart and Raider Owen Pattie improve with every game.
Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi is certainly in the mix, as is late-season bloomer and Eels teammate Joash Papalii.
Eels coach Jason Ryles said of the pair: “They’re both highly talented, but their work ethic away from game day is what stands out for me with them. They’re both worthy recipients of the award, that’s for sure.”
Papalii has worn the No.1 jersey since Iongi was sidelined with a broken hand a fortnight ago, but is viewed as a future five-eighth. He is set to wear the No.6 when Iongi returns, which Ryles hopes is round 25 against Nawaqanitawase’s Roosters.
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