Wests Tigers head to the nation’s capital this Saturday to take on the Canberra Raiders in Round 26 of the NRL.
Last week’s 34-28 defeat to the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval has meant that the season is over as far as semi finals are concerned for the Tigers.
The loss came despite rocketing to a 28-16 lead late in the second half, which was undone by a late comeback from the Cowboys.
A lot of the interest for Wests Tigers fans in the Canberra match has now turned to the possibility of an NRL debut of sensational rising centre Heamasi Makasini, pictured above playing for the Magpies in the NSW Cup.
The 18 year old has been named 18th man by Benji Marshall, but it would not surprise if Makasini got some game time off the bench, perhaps wearing the number 14 jumper.
A Campbelltown City Kangaroos junior, Makasini was a standout player for Wests Magpies’ Harold Matthews for two years until he made his NSW Cup debut this year.
He had been keenly pursued by rival NRL clubs, Rugby Australia, and clubs overseas, but last October signed a new three year deal to stay with the Wests Tigers until the end of the 2028 season.
A tall, athletic, and powerful centre, Makasini was named Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Series in 2024 after helping Western Suburbs Magpies to a grand final appearance.
He is set to moves into the Wests Tigers’ top 30 squad in 2026.
Benji Marshall, believes Makasini will be great for the club.
“We’re extremely excited to have Heamasi as part of the Wests Tigers family,’’ he says.
“He is one of the best young talents that we have who has progressed his way through our development programs.’’
WESTS TIGERS ROUND 26 TEAM LIST:
1. Jahream Bula – sponsored by Sensory Gardens Australia
2. Sunia Turuva – sponsored by Ellis Consolidated
3. Taylan May – sponsored by Murray Kennedy Real Estate
4. Starford To’a – sponsored by Z Wealth Group
5. Jeral Skelton – sponsored by Exclusive Estate Agents
6. Jarome Luai (c) – sponsored by Retro Air
7. Latu Fainu – sponsored by APN Compounding
8. Terrell May – sponsored by Z Realty Group
9. Api Koroisau (c) – sponsored by KwikFlo
10. Fonua Pole – sponsored by Club Menangle
11. Samuela Fainu – sponsored by Mars Forklifts
12. Sione Fainu – sponsored by Ultra Building Works
13. Alex Twal – sponsored by Endacom
INTERCHANGE:
14. Heath Mason – sponsored by One World Courier
15. Royce Hunt – sponsored by Shane’s Waterproofing
16. Charlie Murray – sponsored by MJS Electrical Products & Supplies
17. Tony Sukkar – sponsored by Workplace Law
RESERVES:
18. Heamasi Makasini – sponsored by Wests Tigers Empower