Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

Looks like Isaac Moses is on the P.R bandwagon again in the papers drumming up support for the next superstar player Makasini.

Richo’s quotes in that article seem over the top for a 17 yr old kid that hasn’t played a game of NRL yet …👎

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Richo’s quotes in that article seem over the top for a 17 yr old kid that hasn’t played a game of NRL yet …👎

A lot of the time the players that are hyped before their debut are the ones who fall flat. They are always an unknown quantity till they hit first grade.

 

[Betterdays22]

The ‘special’ talent who snubbed rugby to pledge future to Benji and the Tigers​

By​

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.”

Heamasi Makasini scores for Australia’s U18 rugby side against the New Zealand Barbarians last year.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES FOR RUGBY AUSTRALIA

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.

Can we not please Richo...

 

[Tom Shines]

A lot of the time the players that are hyped before their debut are the ones who fall flat. They are always an unknown quantity till they hit first grade.

You think they would have just learnt a lesson in hyping up some teenage kid … a lot fail, and others get a big ego….

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Last time Richo talked a kid up, it didn’t end well.

 

[Needaname]

Last time Richo talked a kid up, it didn’t end well.

Who was that? Angus Critchton? Alex Johnson?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Who was that? Angus Critchton? Alex Johnson?

Some kid. Landon? Lincoln? Logan? Gonna have to google it.

 

[liltiger]

Hate these kids being on full display. Too much pressure on them, just let their playing speak for them. Honestly, if they're as good as they're made out to be, once they hit grade they're playing ability will speak for itself and everyone will see. Last great young centre prodigy we had that everyone wanted that i can remember was Moses Suli, didn't end too well for us and for him either to be fair.

 

[Needaname]

Some kid. Landon? Lincoln? Logan? Gonna have to google it.

Oh you mean the one talked up by Phil Gould? I’m sure anything Richo said re him would of pailed in comparison.

 

[mtd#2]

Man FFS you're supposed to be a Tigers supporter all you do when you post is bag the club from all angles.
Why put us that want the club to do well through your misery, show some positively.

Dont fall for it mate, he's a troll..
Just mute him and you won't have to see it

 

[Moh]

Makasini will go one of two ways.

1) Not go on to meet the expectations
2) Meets or even surpasses expectations and gets poached

So while it may be exciting right now, ya know it won’t end well for us.

The weak stay weak and the strong get stronger.

Unless… we really turn a corner as a club.

 

[mtd#2]

Looks like Isaac Moses is on the P.R bandwagon again in the papers drumming up support for the next superstar player Makasini.

Don't think moses is behind it with a title like "The ‘special’ talent who snubbed rugby to pledge future to Benji and the Tigers"

 

[Buttface]

Don't think moses is behind it with a title like "The ‘special’ talent who snubbed rugby to pledge future to Benji and the Tigers"

I didn’t think Isuk Measles was his manager?

 

[tigahhh]

I didn’t think Isuk Measles was his manager?

yeah he’s not lol

 

[hammertime]

This would have purely been done after the May signing to let makasini know he's still a priority and he's pathway isnt blocked. That and that there is a kid who wants to be here and play for Benji, unlike that bandwagon douche that just left.

 

[SwervinMervin]

Makasini will go one of two ways.

1) Not go on to meet the expectations
2) Meets or even surpasses expectations and gets poached

So while it may be exciting right now, ya know it won’t end well for us.

The weak stay weak and the strong get stronger.

Unless… we really turn a corner as a club.

That’s the spirit…

 

[SwervinMervin]

we were right in the to get corey horsburgh... so if that fell our way, our pack would have been quite strong..

I think our recruitment is more strategic at the moment as opposed to buying for the sake of buying.

I think it was a case of missed Horsborough but jagged May. I don’t believe it was a case of both in the frame but an either/or. Big Red is a good player, but we definitely did better with May

 

[Red88_Tiger]

I think it was a case of missed Horsborough but jagged May. I don’t believe it was a case of both in the frame but an either/or. Big Red is a good player, but we definitely did better with May

Would of been nice to jag them both though

 

[Tony Taco]

I think we will get the wooden spoon. Hard draw. Last round vs titans is another spoonbowl showdown and they will outpoint us. We have the worst coach in the game. No resilience. And haven't recovered from the Galvin saga. The club should fold. Sick and tired of ref blaming all the time. Win a game! Win by more than 4 points so that refereeing decisions aren't the difference. Luai in origin camp only makes it harder. Play raiders 2 days after origin. Week after play manly off a bye at their home. Then roosters most likely without luai with moses out of origin. Then Warriors in NZ. Titans at Leichhardt is a tough one. Interesting to see how eels vs titans game goes in 2 weeks with no Moses for parra

With no Moses I think the Eels get the spoon. I have faith we can win two over the next four.

 

[Tired Tiger]

Anyone advocating for Reynolds to come to the tigers should have a good look at DCE this year. The cliff is high and while the timing of the fall is unpredictable it's extremely fast when it happens .....