Mark Nawaqanitawase: Rugby's Most Wanted Man

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Alex Payne trying to keep the side going forward. Haskell takes it on now with just relentless chat. And there's Tindall to add the finishing touch of glamour and World Cup winning stories. A dominant display by The Good, The Bad and The Rugby.

Alex Payne (0:14)

Hello, Dream Team. Welcome along to this week's The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. Hope you're keeping well.

We've got a special one for you this week. You are extremely excited for reasons that will become apparent. As we say, a very warm welcome to Marky Mark Nawaqanitawase. Have I got that?

Mark Nawaqanitawase (0:30)

That's perfect. Is that all right? Yeah, that's perfect. It's a bit of practice.

Alex Payne (0:33)

It wins on Scrabble. Certainly, if you're sticking around, you get a lot of points for Nawaqanitawase. A Wallaby, an Olympian, a Kangaroo, an NRL winner, a state of origin, Victor, and still only 26 with one or two chapters still to come as well, which we may or may not touch on. One of the hottest properties in World Rugby right now.

We welcome him to our cupboard under the stairs. And you are excited, boy, because?

James Haskell (0:57)

Well, because I mean, I actually I love NRL. We've talked a lot about it on the podcast. I kind of watch the highlights a bit. Obviously, when we've been over there on tours with the national team, state of origin has been going on. We've been to a couple of games. I sort of love the kind of that heritage, that vibe. And I think NRL gets it right in terms of showcasing the key moments, the big collisions. They're unapologetically what they are, which I really admire. I was actually in Perth last week, and I was sitting there watching some of the Rugby League World Cup.

I followed the NRL page, and Mark Nawaqanitawase's highlights came up. I was watching, fucking hell, this guy is unbelievable. Things that you could... Basically, he's playing chess. I was playing checkers. I was playing Tiddlywigs, playing the wrong game.

I thought, oh, that was amazing. What a player. And then I had no idea he was coming to the studio. So, yeah, I'm very excited.

Alex Payne (1:49)

So if we say g'day, ciao or bulla, how are you going to reply to us today?

Mark Nawaqanitawase (1:53)

Konnichiwa. Very good. Oh, he's well-trained. He's been very well-prepped.

Alex Payne (1:59)

It's brilliant to have you on. How are you?

Mark Nawaqanitawase (2:01)

I'm good. Thank you so much for having me. Living the dream at the moment. I'm still coming off a high.

After, what, two weeks ago now, Grand Final. Yeah, loving life.

Alex Payne (2:09)

We're going to get into all of that. What brings you to London? A bit of business, obviously. Catching up with a few people. Do you like the city? You've done it a few times before.

Mark Nawaqanitawase (2:15)

Yeah, dabbled last year with the Kangaroo Tour here in London.

Alex Payne (2:19)

That went well.

Mark Nawaqanitawase (2:20)

Yeah, that's it. It did go well. Probably better off the field than on. But I had great fun. Love the city. It's very big and there's a lot to do. So looking forward to seeing what's out there.

James Haskell (2:30)

We'll give you a couple of recommendations. He's here for a couple of times.

Mark Nawaqanitawase (2:32)

We'll talk about the Devonshire.

James Haskell (2:33)

Yeah, for a good pint of Guinness. Which is unbelievable. I mean, it all depends what else you want to get involved in. But you've just obviously come off the rack of grand vines. So you're probably sober now. Are you all right?

Just about.

Mike Tindall (2:45)

Just about, just about.

James Haskell (2:46)

You really thinking for your life choice? Because I came out of Ibiza, I was there a couple of weekends ago and I went Saturday to Wednesday. And I had a long hard look at myself on Wednesday evening. I was like, I think it's time to be more professional, eat my salads. I had a green tea, which immediately fixes any of your problems.

And I've been on straight and narrow ever since, which is perfect.

Alex Payne (3:03)

It's brilliant to have you on. And there's so much to talk about, which we'll come on to. But we always get underway with our Continental Tyres grip strength challenge. In your prime, I'm expecting great things. We've got some quite big men who've been on there before. Thomas Totoi, who's the South African prop, actually broke the machine a few times. No one's ever gone lower than me, which is 54.1. So you'll be safe. Bob NK, who's got no ligaments in his thumb, and I'm not sure he's got many bones in his hand either at the moment. Oh boy. Stick it up, Haskell, you're gonna do the honors.