Mark Nawaqanitawase nears Canberra return after four weeks
mark nawaqanitawase is likely to play for the Roosters against Canberra on Friday night, just four weeks after an ankle injury in Round 9. The early return gives him a chance to press for State of Origin selection after he was originally expected to miss at least six weeks.
Robinson’s Friday call
Trent Robinson named Nawaqanitawase on the extended bench on Tuesday and said on Thursday that he is “looking good” to play. Robinson added: “Yesterday was the real test for us to make sure that he was right to tick off everything he needed after that syndesmosis (injury). So it's looking good for him to play tomorrow.”
The Roosters coach’s call puts the winger in position for a quicker comeback than first thought. Nawaqanitawase had been in contention for a State of Origin debut this year before the ankle injury stopped that push in Round 9.
Origin 2 pressure
A good game against the Raiders could matter beyond club selection. It would give NSW coach Laurie Daley another option for Game 2, with Stephen Crichton under a major cloud after re-injuring his shoulder.
That selection race has several moving parts. Jacob Kiraz will reportedly come into calculations but has a calf complaint, while Tolu Koula has been cleared to play for Manly on Thursday night after being concussed in Origin 1.
Daley’s selection puzzle
Nawaqanitawase’s case is built on more than this week’s fitness check. He played three Tests for the Kangaroos in the Ashes last year, and his return now would arrive well ahead of the six-week timeline that had first been attached to the injury.
Andrew Johns has called for Casey McLean to be promoted from the bench to the starting side, and Brad Fittler said on the 'Freddy and the Eighth' podcast on Wednesday: “I just feel like he's carrying an injury, he hurt that shoulder earlier (in the season) and I just feel like he hasn't really recovered,” and “So I'd be giving him a little bit of a rest, even a rest (in preparation) for Game 3. Because if they do need to win I'd be taking Stephen Crichton over a kid (McLean or Koula) up to Queensland.”
For the Roosters, the immediate issue is simple: if he gets through Friday night, they get back a winger who was never supposed to be this close to a return. For NSW, it leaves Origin 2 with one more name to weigh and one more selection call that now depends on how Nawaqanitawase looks against Canberra.
