Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says a week off will do a world of good for rising star Heamasi Makasini, who limped into training on Wednesday morning in a moon boot a day after he was left out of the team to face the Raiders.
There had been speculation that the 18-year-old had been dropped after a tough night against Brisbane on the weekend, but bone bruising in his foot emerged as the reason he wasn’t picked.
Even if Makasini was fully fit, Marshall may have given the towering outside back a week away from the NRL spotlight after what’s been a meteoric rise in the space of a few months.
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“He’s got a bit of bone bruising in his foot, so he wouldn’t have been available this week anyway,” Marshall said on Wednesday morning ahead of his side’s captain’s run at Leichhardt Oval.
“But it was probably timely because I think he was ready for a rest. But one thing I will say about Heamasi is he’s such a bright talent and he’s got a great future ahead of him, and he’ll just get some confidence back and come back into the team.
“I want to praise him actually for how awesome he’s been to start the season. Eighteen years old coming in and playing centre, which is probably the hardest position to defend on the field, he did a great job.
“But part of my job as a coach is also to know when to take the pressure off him. I just felt like he’s been up for so long with his intent and his enthusiasm, and players have been actually going after him, that it was a timely rest.
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“And he does have a little niggly injury on his foot as well.”
Makasini made his debut last year and then earnt comparisons to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu with a barnstorming run in the trials that steamrolled Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards to score a try.
Makasini has been playing against men much older than him this year, with the teen still growing into his hulking frame and learning what it means to play in the NRL.
He had strong numbers with the ball on Saturday night against Brisbane but came up with four costly errors, including a few late in the game as his side lost by a point.
Marshall knows what it’s like to burst onto the scene as a teenager, with all eyes on him when he made his Tigers debut, which is why he’s the perfect man to help Makasini as he navigates his way through a few issues.
“One of the bonuses of being in that position is I can explain to the players what that’s like and how to navigate through that,” he said.
“But in Heamasi’s situation, he is a unique talent and someone we see as a long-term future for us. He’s having a bit of confidence issues at the moment, but he’ll bounce back.
“I think it’s just a good reminder for a lot of people out there that sometimes we go off early on young blokes and we compare them unfairly to some of the greatest athletes that ever played, and it puts a lot of pressure on some of these kids.
“The pressure is already big enough playing in this environment in the NRL. Like I said, part of my job is to make sure I do the right thing by our players, and Heamasi is no different.
“I love what he brings to our team, I love his enthusiasm, I love the way he plays, but he’ll earn his way back into the team at some stage.”
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Makasini is only expected to miss one game with the injury, but he could spend some time in NSW Cup to regain confidence, with the Tigers welcoming back experienced centre Starford To’a this week.
“A lot of people sometimes look at reserve grade for example, and if someone goes back to reserve grade, it’s looked at as a punishment,” the Tigers coach said.
“Sometimes it’s actually the best thing for you to go and learn your trade, get some confidence. Like for Starford’s case, going and getting some game time and some match fitness.
“So it’s not always a demotion, sometimes it’s what’s best for you at the time. And Heamasi is no different.”
Elsewhere, the Raiders have been dealt a brutal blow.
Read below for the Late Mail Round 8!
THURSDAY 23RD APRIL
Wests Tigers vs. Canberra Raiders @ Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Patrick Herbert 19. Tristan Hope 20. Latu Fainu 21. Jeral Skelton 22. Tony Sukkar
Players cut:
Late Mail: Heamasi Makisini has been sidelined due to bone bruising, however Benji Marshall revealed he may have given the young gun a break regardless. The rising centre is expected to miss only one week, but could return via NSW Cup next weekend.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Sebastian Kris 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Ata Mariota 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daine Laurie 16. Joseph Roddy 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Savelio Tamale 20. Owen Pattie 21. Jordan Uta 22. Jake Clydsdale
Players cut:
Late Mail: According to The Canberra Times’ David Polkinghorne, centre Simi Sasagi has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Savelio Tamale is the likely man to join the backline with Seb Kris shifting back to centre.
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FRIDAY 24TH APRIL
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6.00pm
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame 18. Matthew Lodge 19. Kai O’Donnell 20. Zac Laybutt 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Siosifa Talakai 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Briton Nikora 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Riley Jones 21. Riley Pollard 22. Sione Katoa
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Canterbury Bulldogs @ Suncorp Stadium, 8.00pm
Broncos team: 1. Jesse Arthars 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Ben Talty 9. Cory Paix 10. Jack Gosiewski 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Xavier Willison 14. Josh Rogers 15. Jaiyden Hunt 16. Preston Riki 17. Va’a Semu 18. Hayze Perham 19. Antonio Verhoeven 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Cameron Bukowski
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jonathan Sua 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Samuel Hughes 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jake Turpin 19. Josh Curran 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Jethro Rinakama 22. Alekolasimi Jones 23. Alex Conti
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
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SATURDAY 25TH APRIL
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Sydney Roosters @ Allianz Stadium, 4.00pm
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Setu Tu 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kade Reed 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Ryan Couchman 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Josh Kerr 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Kyle Flanagan 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Hayden Buchanan 21. Hame Sele 22. Ryan Hutchinson
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Billy Smith 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Egan Butcher 22. Tommy Talau
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
New Zealand Warriors vs. Dolphins @ Hnry Stadium, 6.05pm
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Marata Niukore 20. Luke Hanson 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 22. Adam Pompey 23. Makaia Tafua
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Brad Schneider 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Max Plath 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Ray Stone 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Trai Fuller 18. Lewis Symonds 19. Tevita Naufahu 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Oryn Keeley 22. John Fineanganofo
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Melbourne Storm vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs @ AAMI Park, 8.10pm
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Manaia Waitere 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Cooper Clarke 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Shawn Blore 17. Davvy Moale 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Hugo Peel 20. Trent Toelau 21. Josiah Pahulu 22. Moses Leo
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Sean Keppie 11. Brandon Smith 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Jayden Sullivan 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Euan Aitken 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Latrell Siegwalt 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Edward Kosi
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
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SUNDAY 26TH APRIL
Newcastle Knights vs. Penrith Panthers @ McDonald Jones Stadium, 2.00pm
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. James Schiller 6. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Francis Manuleleua 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Kyle McCarthy 20. Peter Hola 21. Lachlan Crouch 22. Wilson De Courcey
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Kalani Going 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole 20. Luron Patea 21. Billy Scott 22. Sione Fonua
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Parramatta Eels @ 4 Pines Park, 4.05pm
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Simione Laiafi 19. Josh Feledy 20. Nathan Brown 21. Joey Walsh 22. Jackson Shereb
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Saxon Pryke 16. Toni Mataele 17. Jack de Belin 18. Kelma Tuilagi 19. Lorenzo Talataina 20. Araz Nanva 21. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 22. Teancum Brown
Players cut:
Late Mail: To come.
BYE: Gold Coast Titans