Mark Nawaqanitawase has had one of the most eventful 12 months in sport! Firstly heading to the Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies before changing code to the 7’s format of the game for the Paris Olympics, where he narrowly missed out on a medal. He then changed codes again, this time to the 13 man game playing NRL for the Sydney Rooster to cap off what was an incredible 12 months.
What stood out for me in this one was..
How his Fijian heritage plays a significant role in his identity and sports career.
He emphasizes the importance of having fun while playing sports.
How his Waratahs debut in Super Rugby was a dream come true for him.
What it was like debuting for the Wallabies.
How his transition to the Aus 7s team was a rewarding challenge for him.
Why he moved to the Roosters.
Adjusting to NRL required learning new rules and strategies.
All the questions you want to know, fastest player, hardest to tackle etc!
And heaps more!
Mark is one of those players who is just a joy to watch whatever game he is playing, the way he can leap in the air, beat defenders and score tries! You’ll also learn in this episode that he is a massive lad, such a likeable character who has a huge future ahead of him.
If you enjoyed this episode let me know what stood out for you in the comments and share the episode if you can.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Nawaqanitawase
03:01 Cultural Heritage and Family Background
05:51 Early Sports Journey and Transition to Rugby
08:55 Pathway to Professional Rugby
12:02 Joining the Waratahs and Initial Experiences
14:56 Debut in Super Rugby and Family Support
18:02 Transition to the Wallabies and International Experience
25:06 Mark Nawaqanitawase's Wallabies Debut
28:12 Coaching Changes: From Dave Rennie to Eddie Jones
30:07 Experiencing the Rugby World Cup in France
33:21 Transitioning to Olympic Sevens Rugby
39:26 Signing with the Roosters: A New Chapter
51:04 Adjusting to NRL: The Challenges of Transition
52:59 Transitioning from Union to League
55:55 Mastering Aerial Skills in Rugby
57:54 Debut Excitement and Family Support
59:58 Future Aspirations and Potential Returns
01:00:59 Fan Questions and Personal Anecdotes
01:04:00 Comparing League and Union
01:08:04 Tackling Challenges in Rugby
01:10:07 Speed and Athleticism in Rugby
01:11:49 Advice for Aspiring Players