‘Favourite to win it': Connor Watson has a crack at the NRL over controversial rule change concerning teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase
Nawaqanitawase was one of the favourites to win the award this year along with Leka Halasima, Isaiah Iongi and Roosters teammate Robert Toia, only for the ARL Commission to change the rule because of his rugby accolades.
The cross-code sensation excelled for the Wallabies and represented Australia in sevens at the 2024 Olympics before he switched to rugby league last year and played one NRL game for the Roosters.
He has emerged as a genuine star on the right edge in 2025 and has already wrapped up try-of-the-year honours for his solo effort against the Bulldogs.
But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed on Tuesday that the State of Origin bolter wasn't eligible to join Harry Grant, Sam Walker and Jack Bostock as winners of the award.
MARK NAWAQANITAWASE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! 🤯 #NRLBulldogsRoosters pic.twitter.com/5J3RZQ98bK
— NRL (@NRL) May 16, 2025
'The commission had made a policy change decision around the eligibility for rookie of the year, and I think it's contemporary and hasn't been looked at for a while,' he said.
'The decision was really simple. It (the award) is meant for genuine rookies, so players that are coming through pathways systems, and not for players that have got significant experience, even if it's in other sports.'
Halasima played four games for the Warriors last year but still qualifies because he didn't reach the five-match threshold, while Canberra's Savelio Tamale would have been in the mix had he not been injured.
Individual awards don't define a player's legacy, but it's a shame that Nawaqanitawase won't be recognised given he's scored 13 tries this season and has been a shining light with the ball.
'Mark would probably be the favourite to win it, so I feel like it's hard to make that call halfway through the year when he's played so well,' Watson said.
'If you're going to make a decision like that, you probably do it at the start of the year.
'It's pretty cool that Mark's had a rule named for him. It just shows the impact that he's had.
'Regardless of how he plays, Mark as a person has brought so much to the team. That's probably been the best part of having him in the team other than everything else he does.
'His energy every day and the positivity that he has around the group is good because sometimes when your season is inconsistent as it has been this year, everyone can get a bit down in the dumps. But Mark comes in with a smile on his face every day and lifts the boys up.'
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