'Take it personally': Mulitalo ready to renew Nawaqanitawase rivalry
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Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has vowed to keep his emotions in check as he prepares for the latest instalment of an intense rivalry with Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
The pair engaged in one of the most fascinating head-to-head contests of the season in Round 16 with neither player willing to take a backwards step.
Nawaqanitawase ultimately came away with a decisive victory, scoring two tries as the Roosters prevailed 27-8 in a high-quality affair at Allianz Stadium.
He can't stop scoring
It will be must-watch television when the pair resume hostilities on the same patch of turf this weekend, with the positional battle worth the price of admission alone and Mulitalo is eager to turn the tables on his rival.
"It probably sucked for me after the game because obviously no one likes the loser," Mulitalo said. "Everyone loves it [the one-on-one battle].
"Every game is important for me. I take it really personally. It's probably one of many that I've had throughout my career. Whoever it is, I'm really excited to have that contest."
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The rivalry between the pair stretches back more than 12 months, with Nawaqanitawase claiming a points victory when the Roosters upset Cronulla in Round 12 last season.
Mulitalo had the last laugh later in the year, the winger scoring a double as the Sharks knocked the Roosters out of the competition in the opening week of the finals.
Mulitalo grabs a match-winning finals double
While the 26-year-old scored first when the wingers faced off in June, Nawaqanitawase came away with two late tries to finish the night on top.
There was no love lost on the field but the pair were all smiles post-game as they hugged and made up.
The contest made for absorbing viewing and Cronulla centre KL Iro said one-on-one battles bring the best out of his left-edge partner.
"Ronnie got him last year in the finals and Mark scored a couple of tries and they won the game earlier this year," Iro said.
"Ronnie also scored as well that night so it was a good battle. We thrive on that, especially in finals there's going to be a lot of energy and it brings out our best.
"I just let him do his thing. I'm in between him and [Braydon Trindall] sledging people so every now and then I tell them to settle down but they're just having fun.
"They're passionate people, I let them do their thing and we feed off each other."
Both men are in fine form heading into Saturday's sudden-death clash.
Mulitalo won the aerial battle with Cowboys opposite Braidon Burns last week as the Sharks claimed a 26-16 elimination final victory.
Nawaqanitawase was among the Roosters best in their epic clash with the Panthers, the winger saving multiple tries in defence and scoring one with a freakish intercept.
Mark Nawaqanitawase was immense for the Roosters
Mulitalo has made a career out of playing with his heart on his sleeve, the winger not afraid to show his emotions on the field.
It's a passion Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has worked hard to harness over the past few years with Mulitalo conceding there have been times he's let his emotions get the better of him.
The 26-year-old has been open in the past about his use of a sports psychologist and is confident he's found the right balance as Cronulla chase a spot in the preliminary final.
Ronaldo rocks Dearden
"It brings the best out of me," Mulitalo said. "I get excited if I know I've got someone that loves it. It can go two ways.
"It’s gone bad for me and it’s gone good for me. That's just the way I play my footy. Finals are a different beast.
"I've got to control some of that. I've got to keep it within the team and probably not let my ego get in the way of those battles. That's the important thing.
"This time of the year is about being selfless and not worrying about my own agendas."
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