WT recruitment aimed at success next season and beyond

A smart recruitment drive in the past few months means Wests Tigers fans can look forward to a big season in 2025.

Penrith grand final heroes Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva will be leading the cavalry.

Wrecking ball middle forward Royce Hunt will also be in Wests Tigers colours next season, alongside Jack Bird and winger Jeral Skelton.

They will join rising stars Jahream Bula, Fonua Pole Lachlan Galvin and the three Fainu brothers, among others.

Api Koroisau and Justin Olam will add experience to the squad, which will be under head coach Benji Marshall.

But the club hasn’t just recruited for immediate success: it also has a long term strategy which includes signing talented youngsters from its own pathways to long term contracts.

The latest is boom young centre Heamasi Makasini (pictured above) on a three-year deal.

A Campbelltown City Kangaroos junior, Makasini has been a standout player for Wests Magpies Harold Matthews team over the past two years and has been keenly pursued by rival NRL clubs, Rugby Australia, and clubs overseas.

The 17-year-old Newington College student was named Harold Matthews Cup player of the year in 2024, scoring 92 points and finishing as the leading try scorer with 10 tries from as many games.

Makasini, who recently gained selection in the Australian Rugby Union Under 18s development squad, has decided to stick with rugby league and pursue his dream of playing in the NRL with Wests Tigers.

Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall believes Makasini will be great for the club.

“We’re extremely excited to have Heamasi as part of the Wests Tigers family for the next three years,” said Marshall.
“He is one of the best young talents that we have who has progressed his way through our development programs.

“He is very humble, respectful and is a good young man.

“Being able to secure Heamasi’s signature for the next three seasons is a massive boost for our club and the direction we are heading.”

Heamasi and his family are grateful for the opportunity, and optimistic about the future of Wests Tigers.

“As a family, we give thanks to God for his blessings, and we are humbled and overwhelmed by this amazing opportunity,” said Heamasi’s mother, Tupou.

“We are very confident that Heamasi will develop and grow as a player under the guidance and support of Benji, and we look forward to the journey ahead.”

“I am truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity to continue to be part of the Wests Tigers,” Heamasi said.

“I have been with this club since I was 14 and it has been so important to my rugby league journey over the past three years.

“I want to thank Wests Tigers for believing in me, and I look forward to working hard and contributing to the club’s future success.”