Former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase STUNS rugby league greats with try of the year contender
With just over 10 minutes left on the clock and the Roosters trailing the Bulldogs 18-14, the former Wallaby stunned fans and commentators alike with a miraculous solo effort that defied logic, balance and belief.
Pinned against the sideline by Matt Burton, Nawaqanitawase launched a one-footed chip ahead while hopping along the line, somehow staying in play.
He then accelerated, swerved around two defenders, and grounded the ball just millimetres inside the dead ball line.
Fox League's Dan Ginnane exclaimed, 'Did he stay in the whole way?' while Greg Alexander was left speechless.
'Oh he can't. Oh my god. How did he do that? That is a miraculous try,' Alexander said.
'That finish is up there with one of the best individual finishes I have ever seen,' former New Zealand star Shaun Johnson said.
'It's actually more special each time you watch it.'
Nawaqanitawase's effort gave the Roosters the lead in a pulsating match that delivered drama right to the final siren.
'I was obviously lucky with the bounce,' Nawaqanitawase said after the match.
'Lucky to get the try, but disappointed with the loss.'
Earlier, he had also sparked the Roosters' opening try, collecting a loose ball from a Kikau knock-on before flicking it behind to Robert Toia.
Toia fended off Marcelo Montoya and dove over to score, though the try was later overturned by the Bunker.
That didn't slow the visitors' momentum, with Lindsay Collins crashing over to give the Roosters a 14-0 lead.
Billy Slater commented: 'The way they've started this game, they are definitely on their way into the eight.'
But the Bulldogs weren't done. Coach Cameron Ciraldo urged his players to 'forget the scoreboard' at half time - and they listened.
Viliame Kikau powered through to score, followed by a Toby Sexton try off an Egan Butcher error.
Connor Tracey earned a penalty off Victor Radley, and Bronson Xerri capitalised on a Nawaqanitawase knock-on to score.
Then came Burton's moment. A grubber on the last, a chase through a scattered defence, and a match-winner that sealed the Bulldogs' 24-20 comeback win.
Despite the result, Nawaqanitawase's try remained the highlight.
Mat Thompson called it 'the try of the decade.' Andrew Johns simply said, 'No way. That was freakish.'
Billy Slater added: 'What a play.'
Fans flooded social media, stunned by what they had seen.
'Best try since Brett Mullins,' one wrote.
'Unreal. A dude that size with that much skill and awareness,' said another.
Even Kikau paid tribute: 'Man, that try he scored there, I couldn't believe it. He's a freak of a player.'
But Roosters coach Trent Robinson was measured, praising the brilliance but pointing out the five errors Nawaqanitawase made, including three dropped bombs.
'He is a really good catcher… but those hurt tonight,' Robinson said.
'I can understand Mark is hurting in there.'
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