‘Don’t think I can’: Joey reveals why code-hopping star nearly quit
Mark Nawaqanitawase will strap the boots on for the Roosters in his final NRL match in Sunday’s grand final against the Knights.
In just two short years, Nawaqanitawase has become one of the most popular players in the game, but will return to the 15-man code with an eye on representing the Wallabies at a home Rugby World Cup next year.
Mark Nawaqanitawase nearly quit the NRL during a rough maiden off-season, according to Andrew Johns. Getty Images
Nawaqanitawase arrived at Bondi after the Paris 2024 Olympics, and made his debut in round 27. He scored a try, and virtually hasn’t stopped scoring on his way to becoming one of the best wingers in the game.
But according to Immortal Andrew Johns, the man widely known as ‘Marky Mark’ once considered quitting the NRL shortly after arriving.
“I remember I saw him in his first off-season (2024-2025), I was just chatting to him … I asked how he’s travelling and he said ‘I don’t think I can get through it. I’m questioning whether I can get through this off season,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
"He said 'we train in the morning, and if we have time off I just go home and lay on the lounge. I can't move off the lounge.'"
But a year later, Nawaqanitawase had cemented himself as a genuine superstar.
"I remember seeing him the next year, and he said 'nah, my body is used to it now'," Johns continued.
“So it took him a while to get up to speed – it’s a totally different fitness in league – but what a player.”
Nawaqanitawase will be a huge loss to the Roosters and the NRL more broadly, and it turns the person closest to him wasn’t happy he’s returning to rugby.
His mum Fiona Tovehi said she “tormented” her son about his move to league, but now doesn’t want him to go back.
"I just said to him, 'OK, I think I just better let you do what you'd like to do'," she told 9News of the original move to league
“I didn’t want him to get hurt – I think it’s such a rough game – but now I don’t want him to leave.
“He went to the best club. It’s family, they’ve shared with me ‘once a Rooster, always a Rooster’. So I’m forever grateful to them.
"For me to actually say I'm sad that he's leaving is a full 360 degree turn."
Nawaqanitawase and his mum Fiona Tovehi after the Roosters beat the Dolphins last Friday. 9News
Nine reporter Danny Weidler put to him nobody wanted him to leave the game and Nawaqanitawase responded in his usual humble way.
“I don’t know what do you want me to say,” he said with a laugh.
“I’ve had so much love and support from everyone and I really do appreciate it. I’ve still got another week … I’m going to try to enjoy it. It’s not over yet.”
In the past three weeks, Nawaqanitawase has stood opposite three top-line wingers in Brian To’o, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Selwyn Cobbo and has put five tries past them, including doubles against the latter two.
In the grand final on Sunday, he will face Greg Marzhew. Even the most die-hard Knights fans are fearing a mismatch.
"They can't (stop him) for 80 minutes. The aerial threat … he's probably got four or five inches on Greg," Johns said.
“You’re going to try and limit his space. The left side is our side, but that right side of (Robert) Toia, Marky Mark and Siua Wong [is strong].
"You can't control him. He's too good. He's freakish. Whoever recruited him, it's been a masterstroke."
