Trent Robinson will blood rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase against South Sydney, as the Sydney Roosters pick up the pieces from their week of carnage.
Robinson confirmed on Thursday that Nawaqanitawase would debut against the Rabbitohs in place of the injured Dom Young, less than two months after playing in the Olympics.
The Roosters had not initially planned on playing Nawaqanitawase this year, but the 23-year-old former Wallaby had impressed in his three games in NSW Cup.
“I feel like he has played well for the three games, his instinct has been good,” Robinson said.
“You know someone’s football talent the way they move and run.
“But you’re looking at their instincts when it comes to the movements that are six tackles, how will they move based on the kicker or adapt to the play-the-ball.
“He is an intelligent guy, done his work before he got here and he played really well ahead of this weekend.”
Nawaqanitawase’s debut looms as a bright spot after an otherwise miserable week for the Roosters.
Sandon Smith will start in the halves after Sam Walker’s ruptured ACL, while Connor Watson is at hooker following Brandon Smith’s season-ending injury.
Sitili Tupouniua will play this week in the second row, but the Roosters hope Victor Radley can recover from a fractured scapula to play in the finals.
Daniel Tupou and Lindsay Collins will also skip Friday’s match, ahead of the finals.
Mark Nawaqanitawase in his new Roosters colours. (Photo: roosters.com.au)
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Souths call in lawyers as Latrell claims he’s fit
Latrell Mitchell has declared himself fit and ready to play, calling for answers from the NRL as to why his one-game ban has to extend into next season.
South Sydney and the NRL were still locked in discussions on Thursday afternoon over the Mitchell saga, after Souths bosses engaged legal advice on the matter.
Mitchell is still facing a one-match ban after a photo circulated of him last month with a white powder, the NRL adamant it should only be served when he is fit.
Latrell Mitchell is tackled. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Rabbitohs responded by submitting the advice of three doctors this week that Mitchell had recovered from his foot injury, and the ban should be served in the final round.
That submission has been knocked back by the NRL, who want further evidence of Mitchell’s availability to face the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
If the Rabbitohs are unable to convince the NRL of Mitchell’s fitness, the ban is likely to have to be served in South Sydney’s opening game of next year.
Among the NRL’s requests was for Mitchell to undergo a fitness test in front of independent medical staff on Thursday.
South Sydney have pushed back on that idea.
In a further twist, it’s expected a submission from the Rabbitohs for Mitchell to be able to play on Friday night if not banned will be knocked back by the NRL.
Under league rules players are only able to run out if they are named in the initial 22-man squad on a Tuesday afternoon. Mitchell was not.
The superstar fullback took to social media on Thursday to make clear his desire to play in the match against his former club.
“I’M READY TO PLAY,” Mitchell posted on Instagram.
“I need some answers?? @NRL.”
AAP has been told there is the potential a decision on Mitchell’s ban may not be finalised until after Friday night.
But that would complicate matters given Mitchell would not be able to complete a fitness test after the fact.
The drama comes after Souths interim coach Ben Hornby said last month Mitchell would not play again this year, citing his injury and the Rabbitohs’ position on the ladder.
But asked directly on Thursday if Mitchell would be fit to play on Friday night if an exemption was granted, Hornby responded: “Yes”.
“He would’ve been (fit to play) but like I said a couple of weeks ago, it was always going to be a long shot with the process.
“It’s in the NRL and the club’s hands now so there’s not too much more (I can add).”
Mitchell has not played since injuring his foot against Penrith on July 4, leaving him in a moon boot for close to a month.
In that time, South Sydney’s faint finals hopes were extinguished with the club falling to 15th on the ladder.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has ruled out picking Mitchell for Australia in the Pacific Championships, meaning the fullback’s ban cannot be served there.
Mitchell was fined $20,000 by the NRL to go along with the ban, while South Sydney also fined him $100,000 with $80,000 of that suspended.
The Mitchell situation has played out amid strained relations between Souths and the NRL, headlined by Solly taking a shot at Andrew Abdo after the State of Origin series.
Ironically, that situation came after the NRL forced Cameron Murray to serve a ban stemming from Origin immediately and in club land.
Smith reveals Whitehead banter
A devastated Brandon Smith says there is no bad blood between him and Elliott Whitehead after the hip-drop tackle that ruptured his ACL, ending the Sydney Roosters star’s season.
Smith is due to undergo post-season surgery on his knee, with the hooker forced to wait until his medial ligament has healed before fixing his ACL.
The delay means he is eyeing a round 10 return next year, joining halfback Sam Walker on the sideline for the start of the 2024 NRL season after the halfback also ruptured his ACL on Sunday.
The injury carnage against Canberra has left the third-placed Roosters facing an uphill battle through the finals, with Victor Radley suffering a fractured scapula but hoping to return.
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It also threw Whitehead straight into the headlines, following a post-game spat with Trent Robinson after the Raiders captain approached the Roosters to apologise.
The Roosters coach accused the Englishman of being a serial hip-dropper, with the tackle on Smith the fourth time he has been charged with the offence since late 2020.
Smith said he appreciated Robinson’s support, but confirmed Whitehead had reached out to him to clear the air.
“He messaged me and there was a bit of banter,” Smith said on The Bye Round podcast.
“It was a nothing thing. It’s rugby league and I know he didn’t mean it. No one goes out there and does it and means it. It was accident.
“I understand both sides of (Whitehead and Robinson)’s points. That’s what I would want from my coach. I want him to stick up for me.”
Smith even cheekily blamed himself for his role in the tackle that caused the injury.
“It is actually a little bit of my f–k up,” he said.
“I didn’t really know the rules – when I dove on the ball, no one touched me.
“I thought Elliot was trying to do a sneaky because he is a little cunning bastard.
“I got up and tried to get away so he wouldn’t tackle me again. Then unfortunately that happened.”
Whitehead has since accepted a three-game ban for the tackle, prematurely ending his NRL career ahead of his return to the Super League next season.
Smith said he had been told he would likely be fit to play again next May, but there are fears that could drag into later in the year given the delayed surgery.
“It was pretty devastating,” Smith said. “I had my moment for about 30 minutes when I got the phone call because I didn’t think I actually had done my ACL. I thought I had done my (medial).”
The Roosters are expected to take the option of resting players against South Sydney on Friday night, but will play Connor Watson at hooker and Sandon Smith in the halves.
Sitili Tupouniua is likely to fill Radley’s void in the back row for the start of the finals, before the 26-year-old eyes off a fast return from his shoulder blade injury.
“If you look at our team still on paper, it’s still a bloody good team,” Smith said. “There’s enough talent to get the job done.
“Connor Watson is a NSW hooker … Luke Keary is probably going to have to take up a more prominent role (in the halves) and talk more than he’s ever had to. I’m still confident in them.”
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Feagai departing Dragons
Utility back Max Feagai will depart the Dragons after Sunday’s stoush with Canberra after failing to come to terms with the club on a new contract.
While his twin brother Mat has re-signed until the end of 2026, Max will be heading elsewhere, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
With Souths hooker Damien Cook and Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes coming to the club in 2025, the Dragons are also hopeful of landing Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Veteran utility Jack Bird has been told he is free to leave early from the final year of his deal while Zac Lomax is heading to the Eels on a lucrative deal and young centre Savelio Tamale is off to the Raiders.
Back-up forward Dan Russell and winger Mikaele Ravalawa have been told they are free to leave while speculation has again resurfaced about captain Ben Hunt’s future with the veteran halfback able to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1.
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