The ‘special' talent who snubbed rugby to pledge future to Benji and the Tigers
Senior Wests Tigers officials are quick to point out that there are only five more weeks before Heamasi Makasini turns 18 and is eligible to play in the NRL.
To put the excitement surrounding Makasini – who was the only 17-year-old picked in the under-19s NSW Origin team this week – into perspective, the Tigers have not ruled out pitching him into the centres in first grade this year, and have already quickly to sign him until the end of 2028 season.
A goal-kicking left centre who is still attending Newington College, Makasini said he was more than comfortable committing to a long-term league deal – and ignoring advances from rugby – because 'the Tigers are where my home is'.
'I had interest last year from Japan with the Panasonic Wild Knights, they tried to get me over and asked me to tour their facility, while I also met with the Waratahs,' Makasini said on Friday. 'But the Tigers are home. I'm a local junior, I can see something brewing at the club, and I want to be a part of it.'
Makasini grew up in Orange before moving to Camden when he was 11, where he began his rugby league career with Campbelltown City Kangaroos in 2018. He had barely played the 13-man code until then because his family loved union – including his father, Moses, who played Test football for Tonga and professionally in France.
Makasini represented the Australian under-18s rugby side last year, while also somehow being crowned league's Harold Matthews league player of the year.
Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has long been a fan of Makasini, and rated him the equal of any junior he has come across.
'Heamasi is as talented a kid as I've seen in my 30 years of working in rugby league, and I don't say that lightly,' Richardson said.
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Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
