Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
skelton is nothing special, turns like the titanic and not the best under the high ball.
Big Mak is thw real deal but needs to be blooded on wing.
A fit Star holds a centre spot i reckon
Heamasi Makasini #303
- Thread starter hybrid_tiger
- Start date
Big Mak is thw real deal but needs to be blooded on wing.
A fit Star holds a centre spot i reckon
Plenty to play out , Skelton n Tao,get soft -they need to stop doing that.
Like to see Maka in position ,Reggies until he unseats with skill ,blahblah
good hard player in Skelton if he wants it
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Toa has his moments but too inconsistent, and injury prone, for mine. I still see that centre position as a weakness for us.
Bigscreentv
Well-known member
Agree but if he can stay fit he’ll be a weapon.
happy_tiger
Well-known member
Thinking he will be in the 19 .....whether he gets game time ......depends on injuries
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
I think he needs a rocket of being dropped will do him the world of good when his form dips. Hoping this year we have the backups to make it happen. I expect he will start
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...6/news-story/145d8edb133281472c0443f80ce602dc
George Al-Akiki
February 4, 2026 - 4:00PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/145d8edb133281472c0443f80ce602dc#comments
Heamasi Makasini is confident of his place in the West Tigers starting side in their first game againt North Queensland, and he plans to never look back.
The 19-year-old doesn’t mind where he plays for the Tigers – whether in his preferred centre role or on the wing – but knows his regular place in the first grade team if chosen will be a sign of coach Benji Marshall’s immense trust in him at such a young age.
And if the Tigers are to have any chance of breaking their finals drought, he wants to be a part of it from the beginning.
“There’s been some chats around that (being a first game starter), but I still won’t get my hopes up. I’ll still keep my head down, train hard and hopefully get that opportunity,” he said.
https://www.supercoach.com.au/nrl/?source_code=SCWEB_EDL2
“Hopefully I’m just going to play good in the pre-season trial and hopefully get the nod. I just want to get that start and hopefully to stay in.”
Despite serious competition among the outside backs, in particular with 2025 regular starting winger Jeral Skelton, Makasini is ticking all the boxes for selection in their first clash against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval in Round 2 with the Tigers having the bye in the opening round of the season.
Makasini had a debut to remember last year scoring his first NRL try, and will be looking for more in 2026. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Even if he isn’t chosen, with the NRL announcing its new rule changes Makasini’s hopes of getting a run in the Tigers first game have increased drastically.
Makasini, who can cover anywhere in the outside backs, could play a pivotal role in jersey no. 18 or 19 if struggling to get past the incumbent Skelton.
The youngster made headlines last year against another Queensland team after debuting just after his 18th birthday in Round 27 on the Gold Coast.
There were plenty of nerves, but fans wouldn’t have known it on the field with a solid 80-minute performance and maiden try after just 13 minutes.
“From getting told and leading up through that week towards my debut, it was a lot of nerves and excitement, a lot of emotion for my family as well,” he explained
“As that time came, the Friday night before the game, that’s when the nerves started to kick in.
“It was kind of chill throughout the week but that’s where I started to feel like I’ll be making my debut tomorrow when I’m still in school as well.
“It’s a big pressure but I guess I handled it well. And it was mad.”
But unlike the rest of his teammates, Makasini was back in the classroom by the next Monday as he prepared to finish his HSC.
The former Newington College man was swarmed by classmates when he returned to school the Monday after debuting. Picture: Jasen Begetis
The youngster from Orange was more comfortable on the field than he was walking through the doors of Newington College an NRL star.
“Honestly, as soon as I walked inside the school gates, I wanted to leave straight away,” he laughed.
“There were so many kids coming up to me, but I guess that’s what happens.”
His final HSC score he says also wasn’t nearly as impressive as his debut.
“I didn’t do too well. I did alright, but I didn’t really study as much because obviously after the debut, my mind just went out the window after that.”
Makasini has become much more accustomed to the dressing room than the classroom, so much so his teammates have already labelled him one of the club’s major pests.
But he prefers to think of it as energy.
It’s an energy that could have ended up in union instead of league, which the college is well known for and where Makasini was headed before his love for league skyrocketed.
Makasini has been in full footy mode since completing school. Picture: Wests Tigers
The youngster also didn’t rule out a move to union later on in his career. Picture: Wests Tigers
While the other code isn’t on the horizon any time soon, the three-year million dollar man is open to the possibility.
“Right now, my focus is just to play NRL,” he said.
“But, you know, if that time comes, yeah, we’ll see.”
Until then, Makasini for now is dreaming of his part in breaking the competition’s longest standing finals drought and finding success with the only club he ever wanted to play for.
“The goal is getting as much game time in first grade and just to see this club make their way to the top eight,” he said.
“They’ve been building something special here and I think we’re bound to do that.”
Tigers rookie Makasini confident of cracking into Benji Marshall’s starting Tigers side in 2026
Benji Marshall isn’t afraid to put his trust in youth, which could mean 19-year-old prodigy Heamasi Makasini is catapulted into a starting spot in the Tigers’ side for the 2026 season.George Al-Akiki
February 4, 2026 - 4:00PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/145d8edb133281472c0443f80ce602dc#comments
Heamasi Makasini is confident of his place in the West Tigers starting side in their first game againt North Queensland, and he plans to never look back.
The 19-year-old doesn’t mind where he plays for the Tigers – whether in his preferred centre role or on the wing – but knows his regular place in the first grade team if chosen will be a sign of coach Benji Marshall’s immense trust in him at such a young age.
And if the Tigers are to have any chance of breaking their finals drought, he wants to be a part of it from the beginning.
“There’s been some chats around that (being a first game starter), but I still won’t get my hopes up. I’ll still keep my head down, train hard and hopefully get that opportunity,” he said.
https://www.supercoach.com.au/nrl/?source_code=SCWEB_EDL2
“Hopefully I’m just going to play good in the pre-season trial and hopefully get the nod. I just want to get that start and hopefully to stay in.”
Despite serious competition among the outside backs, in particular with 2025 regular starting winger Jeral Skelton, Makasini is ticking all the boxes for selection in their first clash against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval in Round 2 with the Tigers having the bye in the opening round of the season.
Makasini had a debut to remember last year scoring his first NRL try, and will be looking for more in 2026. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Even if he isn’t chosen, with the NRL announcing its new rule changes Makasini’s hopes of getting a run in the Tigers first game have increased drastically.
Makasini, who can cover anywhere in the outside backs, could play a pivotal role in jersey no. 18 or 19 if struggling to get past the incumbent Skelton.
The youngster made headlines last year against another Queensland team after debuting just after his 18th birthday in Round 27 on the Gold Coast.
There were plenty of nerves, but fans wouldn’t have known it on the field with a solid 80-minute performance and maiden try after just 13 minutes.
“From getting told and leading up through that week towards my debut, it was a lot of nerves and excitement, a lot of emotion for my family as well,” he explained
“As that time came, the Friday night before the game, that’s when the nerves started to kick in.
“It was kind of chill throughout the week but that’s where I started to feel like I’ll be making my debut tomorrow when I’m still in school as well.
“It’s a big pressure but I guess I handled it well. And it was mad.”
But unlike the rest of his teammates, Makasini was back in the classroom by the next Monday as he prepared to finish his HSC.
The former Newington College man was swarmed by classmates when he returned to school the Monday after debuting. Picture: Jasen Begetis
The youngster from Orange was more comfortable on the field than he was walking through the doors of Newington College an NRL star.
“Honestly, as soon as I walked inside the school gates, I wanted to leave straight away,” he laughed.
“There were so many kids coming up to me, but I guess that’s what happens.”
His final HSC score he says also wasn’t nearly as impressive as his debut.
“I didn’t do too well. I did alright, but I didn’t really study as much because obviously after the debut, my mind just went out the window after that.”
Makasini has become much more accustomed to the dressing room than the classroom, so much so his teammates have already labelled him one of the club’s major pests.
But he prefers to think of it as energy.
It’s an energy that could have ended up in union instead of league, which the college is well known for and where Makasini was headed before his love for league skyrocketed.
Makasini has been in full footy mode since completing school. Picture: Wests Tigers
The youngster also didn’t rule out a move to union later on in his career. Picture: Wests Tigers
While the other code isn’t on the horizon any time soon, the three-year million dollar man is open to the possibility.
“Right now, my focus is just to play NRL,” he said.
“But, you know, if that time comes, yeah, we’ll see.”
Until then, Makasini for now is dreaming of his part in breaking the competition’s longest standing finals drought and finding success with the only club he ever wanted to play for.
“The goal is getting as much game time in first grade and just to see this club make their way to the top eight,” he said.
“They’ve been building something special here and I think we’re bound to do that.”
weststigers
Well-known member
Anyone outside Taylan May is going to score a hatful
Holman Barnes #1 Fan
Well-known member
He will be there round 2. Benji is just keeping him honest.
Why does Toa have a mortgage on the centre spot? He plays one good game every half a dozen. Injury or not. Maraksiji should be the centre tbh. 18 or not.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Benji trying to keep Mak grounded …he might have seen how things turned out with the last 18 yr old media darling at the club
Gus doesn’t even know who Makasini is and he’s certainly never met him.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
He bumped into him in the Dogs Leagues club Chinese last week and introduced himself ..
Odessa
Well-known member
They all get to play we have 6 good players for the back 5 last year we used 12 players in the back 5 that's including Mason but I hope Mason doesn't have to play fullback so cross him off the 12 used and make it 11
So who are the other players that will take the step up this year to cover injuries?
Makasini hasnt had to deal with the week to week grind of NRL which is a massive physical upgrade from anything hes experienced.
He excites me immensely him dropping the hip into Talau and sending him flying was immense.
But developing young players should take time and not be rushed...all our main three quarters have plenty of NRL experience ...theres injuries, reps and suspensions where junior development players get their chance.
Patience.
He excites me immensely him dropping the hip into Talau and sending him flying was immense.
But developing young players should take time and not be rushed...all our main three quarters have plenty of NRL experience ...theres injuries, reps and suspensions where junior development players get their chance.
Patience.
Jolls
Well-known member
Was just discussing this in the Deep Dive; potentially how Benji could use the six man bench to introdue him to the NRL grind without the pressure of him having to be used; ie, blooded only if we are on top or we suffer a critical injury.
Paitence is definitley the way should apporach it - once he is primed then release him.
The only problem i see with this is a potential lack of game time if hes in 18 or 19.
I guess tho with Starfords chronic shoulder it could be a goer
upthetigers
Well-known member
100% but he will get into the week to week grind before too long, think we have another Sua'ali'i on our hands. He is a physical specimen.
Jolls
Well-known member
That is a possibility - but I think as an 18/19 there is the opportunity to use him or not and if the answer is not Benji can easily explain it away without any pressure on him. If things are going well for us though there is every opportunity to get him on for a gallop. Benji should be able to look at it week to week in a strategic manner to determine if he is a benchie or playing cup until he cracks a regular FG spot.
It may not be long until he is a regular in FG; although I would prefer to see him get some game time in KoE on off the pine to develop him.
