Tahs wing answers Wallaby SOS
Mark Nawaqanitawase hopes to bring an Israel Folau-like X-factor to the Wallabies after being summonsed from holidays into Dave Rennie’s year-end tour squad.
Nawaqanitawase had just landed in New Zealand, en route to meeting up with his girlfriend, when he received a surprise call from Rennie telling him to return to Sydney.
The NSW utility back is among five uncapped players in the 35-man squad and earned his ticket with impressive showings for Australia A against Fiji and Japan.
But the somewhat bittersweet selection still caught the Waratahs star and his partner off guard.
“I guess it was win win – she was happy but at the same time sad. There were a bit of tears here and there,” Nawaqanitawase said.
Now that he’s there, Nawaqanitawase is looking to make the most of his opportunity.
The 22-year-old who grew up idolising Folau, has been compared to the dual international and hopes to showcase some of the code-hopping superstar’s style if given a run in any of Australia’s five Tests in Europe.
“Izzy Folau was awesome to watch and I feel like I can do some of the things he did,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“He made the game enjoyable to watch and I kind of want to do the same thing.
“I reckon I can open up the game a bit for the boys.”
(Continue below …)
The talented outside back is realistic, though, and not expecting an immediate call-up and is happy to wait in the wings and soak up his first Wallabies experience.
“I just want to take that first step, train well and see if I can get a run,” he said.
“I want to be playing but, at the same time, I’ve realised I’ve still got some things to do and work on.”
A proven try-scorer, Nawaqanitawase bagged seven five-pointers from 10 starts during the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
While he’ll be competing with established tourists Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge and fellow rookie Jock Campbell for a wing or fullback berth, Nawaqanitawase considers his versatility an asset.
But he’s realistic about his expectations and will try not to overthink his plays.
“You play your best footy when you’re not worried about playing footy or getting picked,” he said.
“The more you think about it, the worse the outcome will be. So just go out there, have fun, and see what happens.”
