Mark Nukanitawasi: Why Australia’s double-code international poses a major threat

While the ball has largely the same shape and the two posts are similar, association and league are two sports with subtle differences. It was going to take time to adapt.

There were some defensive fluctuations early in the season, such as testing under the high ball, which he has worked hard to sort out since.

However, such issues are not to be found in basic skills, and it is the finishing touch where the former Wallaby has the greatest potential for destruction.

He can lift his frame high to collect precise kicks from Munster and Nathan Cleary, and while maintaining the most impressive finishing of the league’s most acrobatic wingers, he can also launch himself for a touchdown.

England saw signs of threat in their first Test loss, as his high pace from Walsh’s clipped ball gave Australia a chance which they greedily seized for the opening try.

Jake Wardell had to be alert to bring him down as he rampaged looking to put his name on the scoresheet late on, providing that pressure on the right flank for the star-studded Socceroos.

He could also laugh at himself and was soon welcomed into the fold, especially when he arrived at the airport for a flight to England with his old Union Wallabies luggage. Clearly a resourceful human being.

Nawakanitawasi, who is of Fijian and Italian descent, made the right impression in terms of statistics on his coach Kevin Walters, and played a key role in the team in terms of hard yards – literally.

The only man in the match was Walsh who ran longer – 236 meters to Nawaqanitawase’s 216, showing that the code-switching has adapted brilliantly to the yardage demands of the modern winger.

He topped the post-contact meters, proving how difficult England are to deal with his campaigns, while his line breaks and four tackle breaks further highlight his value.