Firebrand to park ‘ego’ as epic Nawaqanitawase rivalry reignites
They’ve met only three times, but Ronaldo Mulitalo vs Mark Nawaqanitawase has fast become one of, if not the most fierce personal rivalry in the NRL.
And before the latter returns to rugby at the end of the year, fans will get one last taste when the Roosters host the Sharks in a semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Mark Nawaqanitawase and Ronaldo Mulitalo go at it. NRL Photos
They met the first time in round 12 of last season. Mulitalo had a reputation for talking smack, and was “caught off guard” when Nawaqanitawase fired the first barb that night in Gosford – just weeks after they had a beer together at Magic Round.
They scored a try each as the Roosters flogged the Sharks 42-16. The Roosters flyer had clearly got underneath Mulitalo’s skin though, and he was sent to the bin for a high shot late in the clash that earned him a week on the sidelines.
1-0 Nawaqanitawase.
Four months later came the second instalment. An elimination final at Shark Park.
Nawaqanitawase scored the opener, but Mulitalo scored twice in six minutes before half time and then took a swipe at his rival on his way into the sheds. The Sharks went on to win 20-10.
1-1.
Mulitalo missed the Perth clash in round six as he continued his recovery from an ACL injury. Just 10 weeks later though, the rivalry picked up right where it left off.
In round 16 this season, the two superstars all but came to blows when Mulitalo landed a heavy shot. It triggered a melee with the pair of them at the centre. Minutes later, Mulitalo was penalised for rubbing his forearm into Nawaqanitawase’s face.
The Roosters gun undoubtedly won that day. He scored a double and set up another for Billy Smith with a freakish one-handed offload.
2-1 Nawaqanitawase.
On Saturday night, the Sharks’ 26-16 win over the Cowboys earned him one last chance at redemption, and fans a final look at a rivalry ended far too soon.
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo wants to avoid getting sin binned this week. Getty Images
“It probably sucked for me after the game because obviously no one likes to lose, but everyone (else) loved it,” Mulitalo told media including nine.com.au after the Cowboys clash on Saturday.
Mulitalo wasn’t sure if he was even going to watch Sunday’s clash between the Roosters and Panthers because in his eyes, Brian To’o and Nawaqanitawase are a similar foe.
Both are lippy. Both are among the best wingers in the world. Both, Mulitalo believes, “bring out the best” in him.
“I get excited if I know I’ve got someone that loves it, but it can go two ways,” he said.
“It has gone bad for me and it has gone good for me, but that’s just the way I play my footy.
“But finals is a different beast. I’ve got to control some of that, keep it within the team, and probably not let my ego get in the way of those battles – that’s an important thing.
“This time of the year is about being selfless and not worrying about my own agendas.
“When I cross the white line, all sanity goes out,” he said with a laugh. “But, it’s something I’m focusing on, working hard on. You never want to let your teammates down, so there’s no time for my bullshit.
“It’s whatever the team needs, and I’ll happily contribute wherever I can.”
That resolve was tested midway through the second half against the Cowboys when Reed Mahoney decided to go after him for a big shot on Braidon Burns.
When referee Grant Atkins blew a penalty for a high tackle, Mahoney leapt up and grabbed at Mulitalo’s jersey. To Mulitalo’s credit, he didn’t engage.
Despite seemingly throwing a barb at the Cowboys No.9 post-match, Mulitalo said they’re precisely the contests he thrives on.
“Reed’s good, man. They’re the best battles. Obviously, he’s a hooker, I’m a winger, everyone hates hookers and wingers – they’re the two softest positions,” he said with a laugh.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Reedy. I enjoy those contests ... they’re the battles you want, and fight for, and you see how much it means to the team.”
Given the time, Mulitalo v Nawaqanitawase could easily have been remembered in the same way as Sailor v MacDougall, Harragon v Carrol, or Geyer v Lewis going back further. The foundations have certainly been laid.
And who knows? Maybe fans will be treated to an epic on Saturday night that might lift it into those echelons anyway.
Mulitalo said he certainly isn’t expecting coach Craig Fitzgibbon to tell him to keep a lid on it.
Not overtly, anyway.
“He understands my mentality ... he wouldn’t really tell me, he would just kind of coach me,” he said.
“I don’t know – maybe he is telling me. He has his subtle ways.
“He’s a man, I’m a man. I understand. He can tell me the truth. If he says your ego’s in the way, your ego’s in the way.
“But it’s a battle you enjoy. He’s a top athlete, and I’ve got a lot of respect for Marky.”
