The Wallabies must follow the “no fear” lead of wonder winger Mark Nawaqanitawase if they are to make a deep run at this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
That’s the opinion of former Test backrower Stephen Hoiles after watching Nawaqanitawase nearly pinch a famous comeback victory for Australia on Saturday.
The Pumas, of course, had other ideas as they stormed across the try line on the final siren to deliver Michael Cheika his second Test win over Randwick rival Eddie Jones.
Watch the 2023 Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
‘No fear’ Nawaqanitawase sets the tone
It was a preview of a potential World Cup quarter-final and Hoiles said Nawaqanitawase – not used in the first Test against the Springboks – had set an electric tone for the team.
“It was his confidence without it being arrogant,” Randwick coach Hoiles said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
“Just little things- running around with the ball in one hand, ‘I just want to play well at this level.’ You don’t see guys often really go and take those opportunities.
READ MORE: Victoria cancels 2026 Commonwealth Games
READ MORE: Djokovic fined $11,734 for ‘furious’ reaction in Wimbledon final
READ MORE: Ashes villain out, veteran recalled for fourth Test
“Sometimes they play within themselves and ‘I don’t want to make mistakes.’ He didn’t play with any fear at all and that’s what the Wallabies are going to need.
“This isn’t a side that’s good enough to be conservative and safe. We actually have to take risk in attack to be a side that’s going to go deep at this World Cup.”
The Rugby Championship clash in Sydney was the 22-year-old’s fourth Test and he will surely retain his spot on the right wing for the Bledisloe Cup opener in Melbourne.
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles unpack a heartbreaking Wallabies loss against the Pumas and search for Bledisloe Cup hope
With Marika Koroibete a lock in the No.11 jersey, Andrew Kellaway’s potential return from injury could come in place of fullback Tom Wright on July 29.
“His best moments have been in the gold jersey,” Hoiles said of Nawaqanitawase.
“He’s a big occasion player.”
Stan Sport analyst Morgan Turinui pointed out the Waratahs star still had work to do on his defence and positional play but the attacking verve he brought was irresistible.
“He had an almost (Ardie) Savea-like refusal to be tackled,” Turinui said.
“Just give me the ball, I’m gonna go. Now it’s up to the (Fraser) McReights and (Michael) Hoopers and the backrowers to go with him.”
Wallabies issues go under microscope
Nawaqanitawase is contracted to NSW and Rugby Australia until the end of 2024 and Stan Sport commentator Sean Maloney urged RA to lock him in long-term.
“It’s often referenced that the Wallabies now don’t have headline, marquee players that people in the public would know, someone walking down Martin Place or Queen Street Mall. This kid is that,” Maloney said.
“Looks good, moves well, can score tries, kids love him. I love him. Great, strong, powerful name. The other guy that’s coming over (Joseph Suaalii), it’ll take him a while to get up to speed.
‘Too good’: Skelton emerges as World Cup weapon
“If you continue that same trajectory for Nawaqanitawase, the other bloke, it’s going to take a long time to match him come 2025.”
And the man that matters most, Jones, was similarly enthused by what he saw.
“He just backs himself all the time. He’s got an incredible skillset. And for a guy whose knowledge of rugby is quite scant, his decision making is unbelievable,” Jones said.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
Eddie Jones’ remarkable career in pictures: Wallabies coach’s prescient Bazball warning for England
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
