When a schoolboy rugby player draws comparisons to Jonah Lomu and locks down an NRL future before his 18th birthday, it’s worth paying attention — meet Heamasi Makasini, the Wests Tigers winger whose Tongan heritage and rapid rise from rugby union to league have made him one of the most talked-about young talents in Australian sport. Here’s a fact-checked look at his age, contract extension, and what’s next for the teenage dual-code star.
Age: 18 (born 27 July 2007) ·
Position: Winger ·
Club: Wests Tigers (NRL) ·
Contract: Two-year extension (signed May 2026) ·
NRL Debut: Round 27, 2025 (scored a try)
Quick snapshot
- Born 27 July 2007 (Wikipedia)
- Plays as a winger for Wests Tigers (Wikipedia)
- Signed a two-year contract extension in May 2026 (Wests Tigers)
- Scored a try on NRL debut in Round 27, 2025 (ABC News)
- Exact high school he attended
- Precise contract value or salary details
- Which nation he will represent internationally (Tonga or USA)
- Full family background beyond Tongan heritage
- May 2026: Contract extended through 2029 (Wests Tigers)
- March 2026: Benji Marshall publicly wants him to stay (ABC News)
- Will he represent Tonga or the USA in international rugby? (Wikipedia)
- Will he remain at Wests Tigers through 2029? (Wests Tigers)
Six facts define Makasini’s profile so far: a teenage winger already committed to Wests Tigers through 2029.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Heamasi Makasini |
| Date of Birth | 27 July 2007 |
| Position | Winger |
| Club | Wests Tigers (NRL) |
| Contract | Two-year extension (2026–2029) |
| NRL Debut | Round 27, 2025 |
Is Heamasi Makasini Tongan or Samoan?
What is his cultural heritage?
- Heamasi Makasini is of Tongan heritage, according to publicly available records (Wikipedia).
- ABC News also described him in the context of Tongan representation and the Lomu comparison (ABC News).
His surname, Makasini, is of Tongan origin. No verified source points to Samoan ancestry.
Does he identify as Tongan, Samoan, or both?
- Wikipedia lists Tonga as a representative nation he is eligible for, alongside the USA (Wikipedia).
- No public statement from Makasini or his family confirms a specific identification beyond Tongan.
The implication: his international eligibility remains open, but his roots are clearly Tongan.
Who is Heamasi Makasini?
How old is Heamasi Makasini?
- He was born on 27 July 2007, making him 18 years old as of March 2026 (Wikipedia).
What position does he play?
- He plays as a winger for the Wests Tigers in the NRL (Wikipedia).
- In his debut match, he was slotted into the centres (ABC News).
Which NRL club does he play for?
- Wests Tigers (Wikipedia).
- He signed a three-year deal beginning in 2024 (ABC News).
What are his notable achievements?
- Scored a try on his NRL debut in Round 27, 2025 (Zero Tackle).
- Extended his contract with Wests Tigers until the end of the 2029 season (Wests Tigers).
His early accomplishments mark him as a player to watch in the coming seasons.
What is Makasini’s background?
What school does he attend?
- His exact high school has not been publicly confirmed by any source.
- Reports indicate he attended a school in Queensland, but the name remains unverified.
What is his family background?
- He has Tongan heritage (Wikipedia).
- Wikipedia notes he is also eligible to represent the USA by birth, though no details on American ties have surfaced (Wikipedia).
The catch: without the school name public, his schoolboy career remains the biggest mystery in an otherwise well-documented rise.
Did Makasini refuse Wests Tigers contract?
What contract did he sign instead?
- On 28 May 2026, Wests Tigers announced Makasini extended his contract through the 2029 NRL season (Wests Tigers).
- The club stated he was already signed through 2027 before the new extension (Wests Tigers).
Why was there speculation he might leave?
- ABC News reported in March 2026 that head coach Benji Marshall wanted to keep Makasini at the club amid talk of a potential return to rugby union (ABC News).
- Makasini had a background in rugby union, having represented the Junior Wallabies, fueling speculation of a code switch.
What is the length of his current deal?
- The extension runs through the end of the 2029 season, adding two years beyond his prior commitment (Wests Tigers).
The pattern: speculation that he might leave was squashed with the May 2026 extension.
What school does Makasini go to?
Which high school does he attend?
- The specific name of his high school has not been publicly confirmed in any official source.
- Media reports suggest he attended a Queensland school, but no school has been named.
What are his schoolboy rugby achievements?
- He played for his school’s first XV and scored multiple tries (ABC News).
- His performances attracted national attention and comparisons to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu (ABC News).
Without a named school, the gap in his biography is wide — but his on-field feats speak louder than any school logo could.
Until a school name surfaces, his amateur roots remain the one missing piece in an otherwise complete story.
Timeline
- – Born Heamasi Makasini (Wikipedia).
- – Gains attention as a schoolboy dual-code player; makes NRL debut in Round 27 against Gold Coast Titans (Zero Tackle).
- – Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall publicly states he wants Makasini to stay amid rugby union interest (ABC News).
- – Signs two-year contract extension with Wests Tigers, tying him to the club until the end of the 2029 season (Wests Tigers).
This timeline tracks a swift rise from high school to NRL stardom in less than two years.
What’s confirmed, what’s unclear
Confirmed
- Born 27 July 2007 (Wikipedia)
- Plays as a winger for Wests Tigers (Wikipedia)
- Extended contract through 2029 (Wests Tigers)
- Scored on NRL debut (Zero Tackle)
Unclear
- Exact high school attended
- Exact contract value
- International representative future
- Full family background beyond Tongan heritage
These confirmed and unclear areas provide a balanced view of what is known and what remains to be seen.
Quotes from the key figures
Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall wanted Makasini to remain at the club amid talk of a possible return to rugby union.
Benji Marshall, as reported by ABC News (March 2026)
Wests Tigers announced that Heamasi Makasini extended his contract through the end of the 2029 season.
Wests Tigers (May 2026)
These statements reflect the club’s commitment and the player’s value.
What it all means
For the Wests Tigers, locking in Makasini now could define their backline for the next five seasons — but if he ever pursues a Wallabies future (he’s already represented Australia at junior level in rugby union), the Tigers face a tough choice: let him go or watch a generational talent walk. The trade-off is between short-term loyalty and long-term legacy.
For more on the NRL season, see the NRL Finals Draw 2025 and State of Origin 2026.
Heamasi Makasini, often compared to the playing style of Jonah Lomu, signed a contract extension with the Wests Tigers in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heamasi Makasini related to Jonah Lomu?
No. There is no known familial relationship. The comparison is based on his physical style and early career trajectory (ABC News).
Will Heamasi Makasini play for Tonga or Samoa in international rugby?
His eligibility includes Tonga (by heritage) and the USA (by birth). There is no public indication he will represent Samoa (Wikipedia).
What is the value of Heamasi Makasini’s contract?
The exact dollar figure has not been publicly disclosed by Wests Tigers or any official source.
Has Heamasi Makasini ever been injured?
No significant injury has been reported in the available news articles or the club’s announcements.
What is Heamasi Makasini’s salary?
Salary details are not publicly available. The contract extension was announced without financial terms (Wests Tigers).
What position did Heamasi Makasini play in rugby union?
He played as a winger in rugby union for the Junior Wallabies, the Australian under-18s team.
These FAQs address common queries about Makasini’s career.
Andrew Patel leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Downunder Brief.