Latest news with #NEWvSAL
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
The next Manu Tuilagi could be Sale centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White
There was no white smoke involved, but in Manu Tuilagi's farewell press conference as a Sale player last June, he made sure to anoint Rekeiti Ma'asi-White as his long-term successor in the Sharks midfield. 'He's so exciting, man,' Tuilagi said. 'Do you see him train? He's good. Real good. The thing for Riki is that he has got a big future but he is good now. He is ready to go. He has got the size and skills. I can't wait to see him get that opportunity.' It has taken a while for that opportunity to come. A hamstring niggle delayed the 22-year-old's development this season, while the signing of Waisea Nayacalevu meant Ma'asi-White had to drop into the Championship for game time through a loan spell at Caldy. Now, however, having broken into the first team as Sale come to the business end of the season, Ma'asi-White is showing precisely why the usually taciturn Tuilagi was so effusive in his praise. 'Anything that Manu says is special, especially when he honours you,' Ma'asi-White said. 'He has left some big shoes to fill.' While far from exact replicas – the Sale man is giving away the best part of 1st 7lb (10kg) – there are obvious similarities, from the Pacific Island DNA to the gain-line breaking ability. So it comes as no surprise that Ma'asi-White modelled much of his game on Tuilagi. 'I think I have similar strengths to Manu, having watched him growing up – ball-carrying, running threat and hammer D [defence] – I think I hit people pretty well,' Ma'asi-White said. 'Offloading as well comes with the game when it needs to be. I am not looking to force it all the time.' Rekeiti Ma'asi-White is a joy to watch in full flow 😱 Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺 #GallagherPrem | #NEWvSAL — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 21, 2025 As much as the offloads and sidesteps are lovely added extras, the one message that Tuilagi left with Ma'asi-White, who joined Sale in 2022 following Wasps' demise, was that it was his job to get over the gain line. 'That's pretty much it,' Ma'asi-White said. 'Get your head down and carry. As complicated as rugby can be, sometimes you just need to get your head down and carry hard, especially when things go to s---. 'I did a lot of my reviews with Manu and the main thing I learnt was probably the simple things – work on things you are good at as well as the work-ons. Focus on your strengths, but also little things make a big difference. Whether it will be spacing or talking to the 10 and 13, Fordy [George Ford] and Rob [du Preez], just a small chat. It will not be the big things. It is never really that complicated. Once you know your role, it is about the detail.' Just four points separate Sale Sharks and Doncaster Knights at the break! Rekeiti Ma'asi-White's try gave the home side the early lead ⤵️ #PremRugbyCup #SALvDON #SaleSharks — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) February 7, 2025 Aside from Tuilagi, the main influence on Ma'asi-White has been his father, Vili Ma'asi, who played 36 times as a prop for Tonga. He also earned cult hero status at London Welsh, Cornish Pirates and Ampthill, where he played well into his 40s and is the club where Rekeiti started. While Rekeiti and his brothers were born and raised in England, their father administered his own brand of tough Tongan love as they grew up. 'We had a rowing machine in the back garden and he would abuse us on that, properly abuse us,' Ma'asi-White said. 'Crazy, crazy sets to the point where your brain can't function any more. It translated to when we were playing well for our junior clubs and the other parents were saying these kids are huge. It is not just genetics, he has made us work for it. He would do it all with us, 10km row was his favourite, but eventually he wore it out. That was the happiest day of my life when I heard it was broken.' The rowing machine may be no more but Vili is still there to dish out the instructions at the AJ Bell Stadium. 'My dad is very big on work rate and getting my hands on the ball,' Ma'asi-White said. 'He notices everything. He will tell you from the crowd. Every game I hear it: 'Get up, get up, Run harder, run harder'. After the game, the feedback is usually constructive. But no matter what I do, whether I play well or poorly, he gives me a hug.'
Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Rekeiti Ma'asi-White: Centre that could be England's next Manu Tuilagi
There was no white smoke involved but in his farewell press conference as a Sale player last June, Manu Tuilagi made sure to anoint Rekeiti Ma'asi-White as his long-term successor in the Sharks midfield. 'He's so exciting, man,' Tuilagi said. 'Do you see him train? He's good. Real good. The thing for Riki is that he has got a big future but he is good now. He is ready to go. He has got the size and skills. I can't wait to see him get that opportunity.' It has taken a while for that opportunity to come. A hamstring niggle delayed the 22-year-old's development this season while the signing of Waisea Nayacalevu meant Ma'asi-White had to drop into the Championship for game time through a loan spell at Caldy. Now, however, having broken into the first team as Sale come to the business end of the season, Ma'asi-White is showing precisely why the usually taciturn Tuilagi was so effusive in his praise. 'Anything that Manu says is special, especially when he honours you,' Ma'asi-White said. 'He has left some big shoes to fill.' While far from exact replicas – not least the best part of 10kg in size – there are obvious similarities, from the Pacific Island DNA to the gain line breaking ability. So it comes as no surprise that Ma'asi-White modelled much of his game on Tuilagi. 'I think I have similar strengths to Manu, having watched him growing up – ball carrying, running threat and hammer D [defence] – I think I hit people pretty well,' Ma'asi-White said. 'Offloading as well comes with the game when it needs to be. I am not looking to force it all the time.' Rekeiti Ma'asi-White is a joy to watch in full flow 😱 Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺 #GallagherPrem | #NEWvSAL — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 21, 2025 As much as the offloads and sidesteps are lovely added extras, the one message that Tuilagi left with Ma'asi-White, who joined Sale in 2022 following Wasps' demise, was that it was his job to get over the gain line. 'That's pretty much it,' Ma'asi-White said. 'Get your head down and carry. As complicated as rugby can be, sometimes you just need to get your head down and carry hard, especially when things go to s---. 'I did a lot of my reviews with Manu and the main thing I learnt was probably the simple things – work on things you are good at as well as the work-ons. Focus on your strengths, but also little things make a big difference. Whether it will be spacing or talking to the 10 and 13, Fordy [George Ford] and Rob [Du Preez], just a small chat. It will not be the big things. It is never really that complicated. Once you know your role, it is about the detail.' Just four points separate Sale Sharks and Doncaster Knights at the break! Rekeiti Ma'asi-White's try gave the home side the early lead ⤵️ #PremRugbyCup #SALvDON #SaleSharks — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) February 7, 2025 Aside from Tuilagi, the main influence on Ma'asi-White has been his father, Vili Ma'asi, who played 36 times as a prop for Tonga. He also earned cult hero status at London Welsh, Cornish Pirates and Ampthill, where he played well into his 40s and the club with whom Rekeiti started. While Rekeiti and his brothers were born and raised in England, their father administered his own brand of tough Tongan love as they grew up. 'We had a rowing machine in the back garden and he would abuse us on that, properly abuse us,' Ma'asi-White said. 'Crazy, crazy sets to the point where your brain can't function any more. It translated to when we were playing well for our junior clubs and the other parents were saying these kids are huge. It is not just genetics, he has made us work for it. He would do it all with us, 10km row was his favourite, but eventually he wore it out. That was the happiest day of my life when I heard it was broken.' The rowing machine may be no more but Vili is still there to dish out the instructions at the AJ Bell Stadium. 'My dad is very big on work rate and getting my hands on the ball,' Ma'asi-White said. 'He notices everything. He will tell you from the crowd. Every game I hear it: 'Get up, get up, Run harder, run harder.' After the game, the feedback is usually constructive. But no matter what I do, whether I play well or poorly, he gives me a hug.'
Telegraph
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers: Visitors score 23 unanswered points in first half
Latest updates Ben Coles Rugby Reporter 21 March 2025 • 8:27pm 8:33PM It's been a while The last time that @LeicesterTigers held @SaintsRugby scoreless in a first-half at Franklin's Gardens was in September 1988, 16-0. Leicester won that one 30-19. — Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) March 21, 2025 8:31PM Half-time score from Newcastle And Sale are in front, leading 27-10 at the break. Tom Roebuck looking sharp again after his try for England in Cardiff. Tom Roebuck taking names again! Rob du Preez applies the finish for @SaleSharksRugby after a brilliant run, 360 turn and offload from Roebuck 😮 #GallagherPrem | #NEWvSAL — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 21, 2025 8:28PM HALF-TIME: Northampton 0-23 Leicester Leicester take their time, chewing the clock into the red, and it's played quickly off the top and put into touch by Van Poortvliet. Northampton scoreless at the break! Who saw that coming? Leicester well worth their commanding lead after tries from Radwan, Van Poortvliet and Cracknell. J. V. P. The @LeicesterTigers scrum-half does it all himself against the noisy neighbours 😤 Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺 #GallagherPrem | #NORvLEI — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 21, 2025 8:27PM 39 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester Crowd doing their best to lift Northampton before the break. They have the ball, around halfway. Smith kicks high, good height but Leicester win it back and then pin Northampton back again with a Van Poortvliet box kick. Rare error from Steward overruning a high kick, and Hutchinson bangs a touchfinder deep into Leicester's 22. They will try now to pressure the away lineout. 8:24PM 37 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester That's another good-looking Northampton scrum but Leicester come away with it and kick clear. Langdon trying to return and does well for a moment, but the ball is in touch. Off a Leicester player apparently, Northampton's lineout. 8:22PM 36 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester Northampton scrum penalty! It's on Nicky Smith for collapsing, the hosts needed that. Lineout from halfway, trying to lift the tempo to get something before the break.... but they knock on. Leicester could not have dreamed of a better half. 8:20PM 34 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester Another Northampton knock-on, giving Leicester a scrum in a threatening position. Pollard chips high over to Hassell-Collins and that's spoiled by Hendy but did not go forwards. Steward does however knock on in a big tackle. 8:17PM 30 mins - Northampton 0-20 Leicester Northampton trying to play out of their half and it backfires with another breakdown penalty, think that may have been Heyes. Pollard going for the posts again.
