Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has warned South Sydney fans they could be waiting until 2026 to celebrate Alex Johnston's try-scoring record.
The pair will go face-to-face in Friday night's showdown at Allianz Stadium, with Nawaqanitawase eager to shut down the Rabbitohs veteran and delay his bid for history.
Johnston needs just three tries to surpass Ken Irvine as the sport's greatest try-scorer, with anticipation building he could achieve the feat against the club's fiercest rivals.
The Roosters need a win to secure a place in the finals, while the Rabbitohs have made no secrets of their desire to deny their opponents a top-eight finish in front of more than 30,000 fans.
All-time record in his sights
Nawaqanitawase will line up opposite Johnston on Friday night and is determined to ensure the veteran's quest for the record stretches into next year.
"He's been doing it for quite a few years now and to be the player he is to get to that feat is pretty special," Nawaqanitawase said. "I'm going to do my best to stop it.
"We need the win, so the less tries they score will benefit us. It will be a good competitive game and I'm looking forward to it."
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 27 -
home Team
Roosters
8th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
13th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Nawaqanitawase has enjoyed a breakout season in the NRL after joining the Roosters from the Wallabies late last year.
The winger made his debut in Round 27 last season, a 36-28 win over the Rabbitohs in which he scored a sensational try.
The highlight reels have continued in 2025, with Nawaqanitawase producing a string of spectacular plays.
All the angles: THAT Mark Nawaqanitawase Try
Nawaqanitawase's form has seen him surge into calculations for the Kangaroos for the upcoming Ashes tour, while he is also eligible to play for Fiji in the Pacific Championships.
An Australian selection will see the outside back become the 49th dual international and the first since Scott Gourley in 1991 to successfully transition from the Wallabies to the Kangaroos.
The outside back is cautiously optimistic about his Kangaroos chances but remains focused on the Roosters' premiership bid.
"I made a decision to come to league and I backed myself with it," he said. "I didn't think I'd do poorly, I thought I could do something but I've exceeded what I thought I'd do.
"I could only have done that with the guys that I have [at the Roosters]. I'm not in those positions to score the tries without the guys. They've put me in the spot to be able to do those things.
"It's pretty cool [to be in the Kangaroos conversation]. It's still a while away before that stuff happens so I'm trying to play my best footy right now. We need to win this week so I'm trying to focus on that."
More freakish Mark Nawaqanitawase highlights in Round 25
Nawaqanitawase may be putting a lid on the excitement, but his Roosters teammates have made no attempts to hide their awe at the winger's exploits on the field.
Last week's four-try haul in his side's 40-10 win over the Storm rocketed the 24-year-old to the top of the NRL's try-scoring tally on 20, one clear of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Xavier Coates.
Connor Watson said Nawaqanitawase continues to raise the bar and backed the winger to thrive in the international arena.
"Dual international sounds nice doesn't it," Watson said. "He's been the form winger in the comp, so if anyone deserves it, he does.
"I keep thinking in games 'how long can he keep doing this for?' But he just keeps doing it. That's just Mark. It's been a pleasure having him here. Even before he played a game he was great having him here with the energy he brings.
"Some people have just got that level of skill and he could play any sport. I shot basketballs with him and he's sinking threes and dunking the ball. He's just full of talent, I'm so glad I get to play with him.
"You lose guys like [Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i] and Joey Manu and then we're lucky enough to bring in a guy like this. For him to come in, not miss a beat and play to the level those guys did is impressive."
