Emerging superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase turned a 10-0 halftime deficit into a stunning Roosters victory with four tries in 25 minutes, spoiling Craig Bellamy’s 600th game as Melbourne Storm coach.
The 24-year-old winger’s brilliance spearheaded a second-half blitz of seven unanswered tries, securing a 10-40 win that ended the Roosters’ seven-game losing streak against the Storm and strengthened their top-eight position.
Running 161 metres with four line breaks and four tackle busts, Nawaqanitawase also became the NRL’s leading try-scorer.
For the Storm, undermanned without several key players, the collapse all but ended their hopes of securing the JJ Giltinan Shield despite a resilient first-half defensive effort.
