Despite being ruled ineligible for the NRL Rookie of the Year award this week, Mark Nawaqanitawase delivered a statement performance in the Roosters’ 64-12 thrashing of the Dolphins.

The former Wallabies winger scored a hat-trick, ran 169 metres from 19 carries, broke four tackles, and added a line break. His three tries lifted his season tally to 16 — just one behind Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow — putting him firmly in contention for the Ken Irvine Medal as the NRL’s top regular-season try scorer with four rounds remaining.

In a fiery, high-stakes clash with finals implications, Nawaqanitawase combined composure with physicality, impressing on both sides of the ball. Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters praised the 24-year-old’s rapid adjustment to rugby league, noting he had “not hurt his chances” of earning a national call-up at season’s end.

Mark Nawaqanitawase scored 2 more tries for the Roosters in their loss to the Wests Tigers 28-30. It was an impressive show of strength and remarkable ability to beat defenders.

His 2 tries brings him back level with his matches played. Now with 14 tries in 14 matches, incredibly maintains his 100% strike rate in only his first season.

Mark Nawaqanitawase scored 2 tries in the Roosters big win over the Cowboys 42-8 on Sunday. The former Wallaby took an intercept in the 30th minute to race away while the 2nd came after some great lead-up play.

He made the most metres for his side with 245 from 25 runs, 45 post contact metres and 8 tackle breaks. He now has 12 tries in 13 appearances and the Rookie of the year tag is starting to do the rounds.