Roosters back Mark Nawaqanitawase has been working with Sydney Swans premiership hero Nick Davis on new ways to get to the high ball, especially if opposition NRL teams continue to run him off the ball as they have over the opening two rounds.
One of the great sights in rugby league is Sydney Roosters’ right-winger Nawaqanitawase – along with teammate Daniel Tupou, Melbourne’s Xavier Coates, and others – sailing high over the top of rivals to catch high kicks and score.
Nawaqanitawase, however, is yet to receive an escort penalty this year, despite running into what appeared to be interference on at least three separate occasions.
New Zealand Warriors’ centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moved into Nawaqanitawase’s path twice in the opening round without being sanctioned, while South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell was also cleared of any wrongdoing when he crossed paths with the rugby-bound flyer last Friday.
The 25-year-old Nawaqanitawase said it had been frustrating, but it was on him – and Davis – to come up with different plans to get the best out of his leap and athleticism, starting with Friday evening’s blockbuster against Penrith.
The NRL would not comment directly on the kicks involving Nawaqanitawase. The escort rules state that a player will only be penalised if they run the attacking player off the ball or deliberately move in front of the chaser. They are, however, entitled to move directly towards the ball and take up a position before the ball is caught.
Roosters skipper James Tedesco said at the start of the year, Nawaqanitawase had enjoyed an excellent breakout season in 2025, but he would need to go to another level because rival teams would be better prepared for him.
“And I have noticed that already, especially in the high-ball areas,” Nawaqanitawase told this masthead.
“Centres have been trying to get in my way. The way they’ve been escorting, which they shouldn’t be allowed to do, but the way they’re trying to get me off my game, I definitely feel the pressure there.
“It can be frustrating sometimes. But I’ll keep doing what I can do.
“Nick Davis is one of our coaches, and with his AFL background, he’s working on different ways to get to the ball, how to get around defenders … kickers putting the ball into different positions, just finding ways to get around them.
“The main thing is being confident and going for it, and not being passive with it. When you’re passive, defenders can get in your way, and you’re already a step behind.
“Just go for it first, then you’re in a good spot to get up and compete for it.”
Davis has spent several years helping the Roosters’ develop their catching skills. He said Nawaqanitawase and Tupou were always on the opposition tip sheet because of their success under the high ball.
“It’s become air warfare up there, and it’s become a lot more technical than what it was like six or seven years ago when I first started,” Davis said.
“We understand it’s a big part of the team – we want to be owners of the air – and we’d be naive to think other teams won’t try and stop us from doing that.
“We need to make sure we’re always equipping Mark with the vision, and looking at different ways we can to get him his best catches.
“We’d never rely on rules or interpretations to protect him. We know how much of a threat he is. It’s our job to free him up.”
Panthers duo Casey McLean and Tom Jenkins will be awaiting Nawaqanitawase at Allianz Stadium.
Roosters prop Lindsay Collins had noticed teams do their best to limit Nawaqanitawase, and was disappointed the towering winger had been pinged for a “disruptor” infringement against the Warriors, despite making a genuine attempt to go for the ball.
“It’s ‘Marky Mark’, you know he doesn’t go up to be a disruptor, and we have to be careful we also don’t take away the opportunity for people to compete for the ball – they’re the highlights we want to see,” Collins said.
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