Roosters celebrate grand final win as coach hails 'extraordinary' Mark Nawaqanitawase

The Sydney Roosters celebrated their NRL grand final win at Easts Bondi Junction in the early hours of this morning, with Mark Nawaqanitawase lifting the Provan-Summons trophy to adoring fans.

Nawaqanitawase, described by his coach as "extraordinary", was the game changer in the Roosters' thrilling 19-18 victory over the Knights. His sure hands were put to good use as he hoisted the trophy in the air to fans at Easts Bondi Junction.

"Thank you every single one of you for supporting us all year, whether it's at home or away, or out at Homebush you guys turned up, supported us all year, so I can't thank you enough, let's celebrate well," Roosters captain and Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco said.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson praised Nawaqanitawase's generational talent and expects the rugby-bound winger to return to the code. "There have been some amazing wingers that have. What Brett Morris did for us in 2019 was a memorable performance," he said.

"Mark has done things from the wing in touching the ball in so many different types and styles, I hope he has created another generation of those types of players."

"It's extraordinary watching him play the game," Robinson said. "When other people get the ball in the same situation you kind of know what is going to happen, but when Mark gets it there is this energy that he can do something — always. He believes he can do it always."

Nawaqanitawase's two-try display took his tally to 47 in 47 games ahead of his return to rugby in Japan. His previous displays for the Wallabies and Australia in rugby sevens had already proven his unique skill set and capacity for the marvellous.

On the cusp of half-time in the grand final, his left and right-foot soccer skills, before regathering to score, got the Roosters on the board when they were trailing 12-0 after dominating in every statistic. His second-half try in the corner, after a trademark left-foot step, was made to look easy when it required an inch-perfect finish with speed, acrobatics and strength.

Moments before he hoisted the trophy in the air to fans at Easts Bondi Junction, Nawaqanitawase was told "just don't drop it".