Mark Nawaqanitawase credited Roosters medical staff and his mum's home cooking for a stunning return that has put the dual international on the Origin radar for NSW.
Nawaqanitawase was instrumental in Friday night's 26-0 win against the Raiders on Friday night at GIO Stadium, producing a hat-trick and running 185 metres to with the ball.
The win was extra sweet for Nawaqanitawase who made a quicker than expected return after a five-week stint on the sideline with a syndesmosis ankle injury.
“It’s a miracle," he said. "I had a great surgeon, and we’ve got some of the best staff I’d say in the world. Just the way they put their time and effort into helping me get back on the field as quickly as possible.
“The day of surgery I was already walking and I was like, ‘is that supposed to be happening?'.
Yep, he's back
"it was a bit scary for my mum and my family to see me walking around so quickly, but yeah it’s worked out well and I’m back.”
Nawaqanitawase said perhaps the most important ingredient was his mum’s cooking and the loving support from his family.
“They look after me at home, make sure I’m fed well, and healing properly - a big team effort," he said.
With the competition now at the midway point, the Roosters are sitting nicely in the Top 8 but Nawaqanitawase admitted it had been difficult to be out of action and not able to contribute while recovering from surgery.
“It’s a long season and you’re going to take some lessons. The last few weeks we got a few lessons. It’s frustrating watching because you just want to help, help the boys because you don’t want to see the boys down," he said.
“I guess we’ve been through that now, leave that behind and we keep going forward.”
From the field: Daly Cherry-Evans
Roosters’ coach Trent Robinson was pleased to have Nawaqanitawase back in the line-up with the unique athletic flair he brings to the team.
“Just the energy that he gives. You know that first try, he’s just class, a real class player,” Robinson said.
Captain James Tedesco added: “He’s great to have around the team. His energy, his presence and when you give him slight opportunities he finishes them 10 times out of 10.
“So to have him back in the team is important to us, to have him back on the wing and make the most of small opportunities.”
Match: Raiders v Roosters
Round 14 -
home Team
Raiders
13th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Nawaqanitawase’s performance on Friday night gave NSW Origin selectors plenty to consider ahead of Origin II at the MCG on June 17.
However, the 25-year-old who toured England with the Kangaroos last year, said his main focus is on his club duties.
‘I just wanted to get the win tonight. I wanted to get through the game healthy first and then just wanted to do a job for the team and I guess that’s where my head was at.”
