Heamasi Makasini
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Heamasi Makasini | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 27 July 2007 Orange, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 192 cm (6 ft 4 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (16 st 7 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing, Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 2 August 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Heamasi Makasini (born 27 July 2007) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.
Background
Makasini was educated at Newington College and played his first grade debut whilst in his final school year.[1] By birth, he is eligible to represent the USA and Tonga.[2]
Career
Makasini made his first grade debut in round 27 of the 2025 NRL season against the Gold Coast Titans, scoring a try.[3]
Makasini began the 2026 NRL season playing every minute in the Wests Tigers' first six games, scoring one try in round 3 in a 20-16 Loss against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[4] In round 8, Makasini was dropped amidst criticism, with coach Benji Marshall citing "confidence issues" as the reason for his omission. Marshall said, "A lot of people look at it when someone goes back to reserve grade like it's a punishment. Sometimes it’s actually the best thing for you to go and learn your trade, get some confidence.[5]
On 28 May 2026, the Wests Tigers announced that Makasini re-signed with the club until the end of 2029.[6]
References
- ↑ Campton, Nick (5 September 2025). "'Life couldn't be normal again': What it's like to go straight from school to the NRL". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ Walshaw, Nick (25 February 2026). "US set to spark international tug-of-war over Heamasi Makasini; Kyle Flanagan's brutal Vegas hit". Fox Sports.
- ↑ Nuttall, Daniel (14 February 2026). "Inside the rise of breakout Tigers rookie... and the shock criticism he battled after 'backstab' claims". Fox Sports.
- ↑ "Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers". National Rugby League. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ Clarke, George (22 April 2026). "Benji details 'issues' behind decision to drop teen prodigy". 7NEWS. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ Tigers, Wests (28 May 2026). "Heamasi Makasini extends with the Tigers until 2029". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 28 May 2026.