Human highlights reel Mark Nawaqanitawase starred again as the Roosters ended the fairytale run of the Dolphins and has vowed to enjoy the lead-up to his final game of NRL – for now.
The Roosters winger was a stand-out as the overall big-game experience of the Roosters side came to the fore, with two tries, 329 run metres and more headline moments that have become a staple for the rugby union-bound flyer.
First was a 90-metre intercept to opening the scoring and break open the game for his side after a tense opening stanza, before setting up Rob Toia to snuff out what loomed as a second-half comeback from the Dolphins.
He capped it off with another spectacular try, collecting 30-metre pass from Victor Radley who had made a break mid-field, dismissing three Dolphins along the way to the tryline.
“That's the way it is, (but I have) still got another week,” Nawaqanitawase said when asked why he was leaving the NRL at the height of his powers to return to the 15-player code.
“I've had a great time (in the NRL), I've had more than a great time, I reckon.
“I love this club, I love all the people involved with it, and the NRL's been amazing to me and my family.
Marky Mark with two HUGE finals moments
“Why am I leaving?
“Man, just another opportunity for me, a few things I have in the future that I want to get involved with, so that's just part of life, I guess.
“It's out there (an NRL return to the Roosters), potentially … I've got two years on my next contract which I'm looking forward to as well, it's a great club, but I've still got another week here, so a week can be a long time and I'm going to enjoy it.”
Having taking down the Dolphins 36-20 to be the first team into this year’s decider, Nawaqanitawase wasn’t getting too caught up in the emotion just yet, but was happy that a goal he had set himself was being achieved.
“I can believe … I'm going to play in the grand final, because we've done a lot of hard work and we're going to do it next week, so I can't wait,” Nawaqanitawase said.
“I've watched that many grand finals.
“I was actually at the grand final last year doing a Telstra promo and I was like, ‘you know what, I want to be here next year’ and we're going next week.
“It's like any other week … you know what, yes, it is a little bit different, it's my last week at the club.
“I'm going to enjoy it in that sense, but at the same time, I've got a game to win and I'll be doing everything I can to make sure next Sunday, whoever it is with us, that I'm going to be be putting my best foot forward.”
