In an exciting turn of events, St George Illawarra Dragons’ Nathan Lawson, a two-time Olympian, is set to make his NRL debut this weekend against the Newcastle Knights. The 26-year-old, who represented Australia at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, joined the Dragons during the off-season and has been competing in the NSW Cup, where he scored five tries in eight games.
Head coach Shane Flanagan expressed the uniqueness of presenting a debut jersey to someone with Lawson’s impressive background. “It was a bit of a reverse cycle that he’s making his debut now in a different code,” Flanagan noted, highlighting Lawson’s Olympic achievements and how excited both the player and coach are for this transition to rugby league.
In the upcoming game, Lawson will take his place on the wing for the Dragons. Meanwhile, Valentine Holmes is expected to return to the team following his commitments in the State of Origin series. However, cult figure Christian Tuipulotu will not participate this Friday. The Tongan international is being given an extra week to recover from an injury, as Flanagan confirmed he remains close to returning but was held back for the sake of caution.
Tuipulotu has had a strong season thus far, with seven tries in just five matches and an average of 186 running metres per game. Ensuring his full recovery is crucial for the Dragons’ lineup for the coming matches.
This debut is a significant milestone for Lawson, representing both a personal achievement and a remarkable story woven into the fabric of Australian sports as he transitions from the Olympic arena to the NRL stage. With his competitive spirit, Lawson is expected to make a notable impact as he joins his new teammates in pursuit of success in the season ahead.