Mark Nawaqanitawase was only a fringe Super Rugby player with the Waratahs at the start of the year but he has finished it as one of the world’s hottest wingers.
Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui believes ‘Marky Mark’ will likely revert to his more familiar right wing next season to allow Marika Koroibete to play on the left in a mouthwatering combination.
“This is always the thing, that we’re ‘let’s not overhype.’ Why not?” Stan Sport commentator Sean Maloney said.
“Why not put pressure on, why not ask more of a kid who has a ceiling that I think is almost infinite at that level.”
The 22-year-old with Fijian heritage scored two tries at the Principality Stadium and was a constant threat for the Welsh defence.
His mix of size, speed, athleticism and aerial ability gives the Wallabies a real point of difference and adds to the wing stocks that include Koroibete, Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright.
“For so long now, we’ve struggled to establish a wide range of household names at a Wallabies level,” Maloney said.
“It’s factual. There’s no debating that outside of our own sport. He has the potential, the looks, the play to go really, really far and take the game with him.”
RWC verdict: Likely starter
