The ‘special’ talent who snubbed rugby to pledge future to Benji and the Tigers
By Christian Nicolussi
June 13, 2025 — 7.30pm
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.
“He’s special. He’s a major part of what we’re doing moving forward. Benji has a huge rap on him. He’s not only a magnificent athlete, but he’s a really humble kid from a great family.
“We’ve signed him until the end of 2028. You have to see him with the ball in his hand to appreciate what I’m saying. There’s no downside to him at all.”
Richardson confirmed there was nothing stopping 108kg Makasini making his NRL debut before the season was over.
The Tigers this week signed Taylan May on a train-and-trial deal for the remainder of 2025, with the former Panther to need at least a month of training before returning to football, which is likely to be via reserve grade, said Richardson.
The club last week signed English back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul, while it has already been well documented they have made inquiries about Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds.
Wests Tigers officials are tipping Heamasi Makasini – the only 17-year-old to make the NSW U19 Origin side – to make his NRL debut this season
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