Slater tips 'freakish' cross-code star for rare feat

Billy Slater believes the "freakish" form of Mark Nawaqanitawase could earn the Sydney Roosters star a call-up to the Kangaroos squad later this year.

The 23-year-old has taken rugby league by storm over the past year, bringing his talents across from rugby union and becoming a genuine household name.

Nawaqanitawase has scored 16 tries, produced seven try assists and broken 93 tackles in his first full season of NRL, helping the new-look Chooks rise up the ladder.

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Along the way, the man dubbed "Marky Mark" by footy fans has come up with more highlight reel plays than most players could come up with in their entire careers.

His latest piece of brilliance - an incredible flick pass for teammate Robert Toia - sent fans and experts into a frenzy, despite the side's loss to Parramatta.

One of those admirers is Slater, who was in awe of the skill on display from the former Wallabies flyer not only on Saturday night, but throughout the year.

"That was probably the best flick pass I've seen - it was a bullet," the Maroons coach said on Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast.

"He was going into touch and it hit Robert Toia on the chest and he just fell over the line.

"He's done some special things. He's a wonderful player. I think he's fantastic, I love the way he plays. He's got great strengths, he's good under the high ball and he's a big, powerful sort of get out of trouble player as well.

"When they get it right the Roosters, they unlock all this talent in this footy team and he's certainly one. When he gets the ball, he can do some freakish things."

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Nawaqanitawase's form and the fact the Roosters are closing in on a finals berth has seen a push for him to be included in Kevin Walters' squad for the Ashes series grow.

While there are plenty of other outside backs who could earn selection, the genuine X-factor and game-breaking ability that Nawaqanitawase possesses is tough to overlook.

Slater believes it's only a matter of time before Nawaqanitawase is on the biggest stage.

"I get the feeling that the Roosters jersey isn't the only one he's gonna be wearing in the next couple of years," Slater said.

"I think he's gonna be wearing a couple of other jerseys - maybe a green and gold one at the end of the year." https://omny.fm/shows/the-billy-slater-podcast/as-good-a-coach-as-anyone-why-josh-hannay-can-have-success-on-the-gold-coast/embed

Should he earn a debut for the Kangaroos, he would join the likes of Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Israel Folau as dual-code internationals for Australia.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess have also played on the international stage in both league and union.