Robert Toia will have a front-row seat to the last instalment of the tit-for-tat battle between teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase and Ronaldo Mulitalo, and the Sydney Roosters centre is bracing himself for more box-office entertainment.
"Cinema, that's what I expect, (another chapter in) an ongoing battle and I think if we get the win that will top it off," Toia said.
Saturday's sudden-death semi-final could be Nawaqanitawase's last in the NRL with the 26-year-old former Wallabies star having agreed to switch back to the 15-man code with Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights.
Few could have imagined the impact Nawaqanitawase would have had in league when he crossed codes after the Paris Olympics.
There have been highlights in just about every game - be it his grubber ahead and tip toe down the sideline against Canterbury last season that was named try of the year or last weekend's tap-ahead intercept before climbing off the deck and racing away to score against Penrith.
"It's pretty hard to stay alert because you don't know what's going to happen," Toia said.
"I didn't expect him to do what he's been doing, I think he has shocked everyone."
And Nawaqanitawase's long-running on-field feud with the sledge-happy Mulitalo - the pair of wingers openly admire each other off it - has made Roosters-Sharks games fixtures to savour.
"There's a bit of competitiveness there but I think that is what makes the game so great - it's the best of the best going at it with each other," said Roosters forward Siua Wong.
Toia's opposite number KL Iro said of Mulitalo: "He can get personal at times but after the game he always makes sure he clears it up straight away and shakes his hand.
"He loves getting in the mix, he's a huge competitor."
Nawaqanitawase has made the switch to league look easy, having won caps for the Kangaroos, played State of Origin for NSW and scored 41 tries in 44 games for the Roosters.
His league career will extend into a preliminary final against the Dolphins, should the Roosters get past the Sharks.
"The one thing I'll notice (when Nawaqanitawase leaves) is how quiet it'll be in the locker rooms - the way he plays reflects his personality," Wong said.
"I think what is so special about him is how instinctive he is, and he backs himself in those moments that look freakish.
"He puts in the hard work as well because rugby league is a physically demanding sport, and he's able to match his yardage carries and defence with the freakish moments."
Australian Associated Press
