{"id":330427,"date":"2023-09-12T04:00:33","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T04:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=330427"},"modified":"2023-09-12T08:01:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T08:01:49","slug":"split-second-could-have-robbed-wallabies-of-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=330427","title":{"rendered":"'Split-second' could have robbed Wallabies of star"},"content":{"rendered":"

In another universe, Mark Nawaqanitawase is draped in a black and white jersey as one of the famous Flying Fijians<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One split-second decision ultimately confined that alternative reality to history and now the winger is one of the Wallabies'<\/a> pre-eminent stars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"The closest I came was probably just the decision to change over, nothing I guess was stamped that I was going to do it," said the 23-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Monday.<\/p>\n

Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> Every match ad free, live and on demand in 4K UHD from September 9<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

"I think things change now and again. I guess that was one of those moments when for a split second I was thinking of going down that path. I'm grateful for how things have turned out."<\/p>\n

\"Australia's<\/p>\n

Australia's forthcoming Rugby World Cup contest against Fiji has particular significance for a handful of players.<\/p>\n

Nawaqanitawase is one of seven players in the Wallabies squad with Fijian heritage.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> AFL big-wig threatens to quit over explosive hit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Wighton backflip rumour exposes bite ban 'farce'<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> World Cup star's career in jeopardy after drug test<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, and Langi Gleeson all have Fijian heritage too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the case of Kerevi, Koroibete and Vunivalu, they were all born in Fiji.<\/p>\n

\"Jordan<\/p>\n

Born to Italian and Fijian parents, Nawaqanitawase said when it comes to game time he's Australian.<\/p>\n

However, he's hopeful the Fijian side of his family will get behind him when the sides go head-to-head.<\/p>\n

"Obviously pretty special, having a bit of Fijian heritage," he said.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/StanSportRugby\/status\/1701392719048843609<\/a><\/p>\n

"I've been watching them growing up and there are a few players I've looked up to as well. It'll be a pretty special moment for myself and my family and it'll be a very exciting match.<\/p>\n

"There's plenty out there," he said of the Fijian side of his family.<\/p>\n

"I think I've got enough on both sides. I'd like to think most are getting around me this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"A lot of family are already getting around the boys in the team. It'll be an interesting week. They're all looking forward to it."<\/p>\n

\"Langi<\/p>\n

Like Nawaqanitawase, Sydney-born and raised Gleeson has strong ties back to Fiji.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When game time comes, he's in a similar situation as far as who his family supports.<\/p>\n

"My family backs them. I don't know who they're going to support this week," he said.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/rugby-world-cup-inside-line\/playlists\/podcast\/embed?style=cover<\/a><\/p>\n

"It's probably my second team. Most of their players play in the (Fijian) Drua (in Super Rugby) and PNC (Pacific Nations Cup). They're a really good team.<\/p>\n

"I'd always watch the sevens. My family are big Fijian rugby supporters. I liked playing in the backyard.<\/p>\n

"It means everything for my family. Growing up, I always wanted to be a Wallaby. I didn't think I'd get there. It's all been a blur, this year and last year."<\/p>\n

Australia will face Fiji on Monday with coverage live and ad-free on Stan Sport from 1.15am AEST. Nine will also carry free-to-air coverage from the same time. Kick-off is at 1.45am.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In another universe, Mark Nawaqanitawase is draped in a black and white jersey as one of the famous Flying Fijians. One split-second decision ultimately confined […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":330429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330427"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=330427"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":330433,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330427\/revisions\/330433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/330429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=330427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=330427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=330427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}