How Marky Mark brought 'shy guy' Toia out of his shell

Whether they have one more game together or two, Roosters young gun Rob Toia plans on making every minute count before rugby-bound superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase flies the coop.

From the freaky flick passes to the bomb catches and the outrageous dives into the corner, Toia has had a front row seat to Marky Mark's magic for the past two seasons.

“It’s been the best. I wish he could stay longer because it’s such a privilege having him outside me,” said Toia.

“Just giving him the ball not only makes my job easier but usually benefits the whole team by scoring some points. 

“I don’t even need to say, ‘Who was that flying past me?’ because I know it’s him, I know some of his moves like the back of my hand.

"If I see a flash go by or a blur, I know it’s Mark because he seems to be able to do anything.”

And it's not just the freakish plays and flair that 22-year-old Toia will take from his time alongside Olympian Nawaqanitawase, 26. 

“What I’ve learned is the confidence he has in just backing himself,” Toia said.  

“I feel like I’m a bit of a shy guy. But while he’s cool, he’s fairly demanding when he wants the ball. I find that confidence in his ability pretty refreshing.

“We have minimal chats on the field because he knows what I’m going to do and I’ll know what to expect when I give him the ball. 

“Defensively he reads me well and I can read him.” 

That defensive connection will need to be at its best on Friday as elusive Dolphin Herbie Farnworth looks to expose any weaknesses in the Roosters' wall.

Farnworth has been a central figure in the Phins' wild ride to their first ever finals series and his electric footwork and offloading ability make him a constant threat.

Toia and Farnworth each boast 14 tries for the season and have 22 try assists between them, so the battle should be a beauty.

“It’s going to be a tough battle as Herbie is definitely the in-form centre of the comp,” Toia told NRL.com. 

“Centre battles can be real personal because it’s a very defensive-oriented position and you don’t want to be beaten there. 

“So what a better way to do it than against the best.” 

When the two clubs last met in Round 26. Toia and Farnworth each scored the opening try for their team, by getting around each other, although the Dolphins had the last laugh winning 26-12. 

Toia said it wasn’t just a matter of watching what Farnworth does with his footwork when he was on the attack. 

“I tend to get my movements correct first. If I get the right angles then I can anticipate what he’ll do on the back of that," he said.

“Basically I try and dictate what I want him to do because if I let him have too much freedom it’s not going to be good for me.”