If there was any doubt about who currently wears the crown as the NRL’s premier winger, Mark Nawaqanitawase may have settled the debate. The Roosters flyer torched Cronulla and outshone Ronaldo Mulitalo in a performance that had fans and commentators buzzing.
Ronaldo Mulitalo wanted the spotlight.
Unfortunately for the Sharks winger, Mark Nawaqanitawase stole it.
Again.
What was billed as one of the most entertaining individual match-ups of the NRL season quickly turned into a masterclass from the Roosters superstar, who toyed with Mulitalo throughout Sydney’s 27-8 victory over Cronulla at Allianz Stadium.
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The rivalry between the pair has become one of rugby league’s most entertaining subplots. There was plenty of niggle, plenty of banter and plenty of emotion.
But when the dust settled, there was only one winner.
Nawaqanitawase crossed for two tries, produced several game-breaking moments and was once again the most dangerous player on the field. Mulitalo, meanwhile, conceded a costly penalty and was repeatedly forced to watch his rival dictate the contest.
At some point, we need to stop talking about Nawaqanitawase as a rugby convert.
He’s not a rugby convert anymore.
He’s simply the best winger in the NRL.
That statement would have seemed outrageous 18 months ago.
Today, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to argue against.
The Roosters flyer has transformed from one of rugby union’s most exciting talents into one of rugby league’s most destructive finishers. His combination of size, aerial ability, speed and footwork gives defenders problems unlike any other winger in the competition.
When the Roosters need a yardage carry, he delivers.
When they need points, he delivers.
When they need a highlight-reel moment, he usually delivers that too.
His form in recent weeks has been remarkable.
Earlier this month he returned from injury with a hat-trick against Canberra, immediately reminding the competition what it had been missing.
Against Cronulla he backed it up with another two-try performance, taking his remarkable try-scoring record at Allianz Stadium to 12 tries in his last 10 appearances at the venue.
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And perhaps most impressively, he continues to produce against elite opposition.
Mulitalo entered Sunday’s clash as one of the game’s premier wingers and one of the most dangerous finishers in the NRL.
By full-time, he had been comprehensively overshadowed.
The rivalry has now produced four clashes between the pair, but Nawaqanitawase had the final say on Sunday, helping the Roosters secure a crucial victory while further enhancing his growing reputation as one of the game’s genuine superstars.
The scary part for rival clubs?
- He’s still improving.
- Most wingers rely on speed.
- Some rely on power.
- Others rely on finishing ability.
Nawaqanitawase has all three.
Throw in his aerial dominance, ability to break tackles and knack for producing moments of brilliance when games are on the line, and the argument becomes increasingly convincing.
Brian To’o remains the benchmark for work rate.
Xavier Coates remains a freakish athlete.
Jacob Kiraz continues to churn out elite numbers.
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But right now, if you’re picking one winger to win a game for your club, it’s hard to go past the Roosters superstar.
Mulitalo came looking for a battle.
Instead, he got a front-row seat to a reminder of who currently wears the crown as the most dangerous winger in rugby league.
And his name is Mark Nawaqanitawase.
