Videos and images of Wests Tigers young gun Heamasi Makasini have surged across Tongan Facebook groups this week, with supporters enthusiastically sharing clips of his explosive runs and labelling the 18‑year‑old as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge in years.
Footage taken from playing fields — alongside highlights from recent trial matches — is being widely reposted, with many Tongan fans celebrating his raw power, acceleration and instinctive attacking style.
Several online groups have described him as an “attacking prodigy,” with some commenters even likening his barnstorming carries to the legendary Jonah Lomu, whose impact on world rugby remains iconic in Tonga and beyond.
Makasini, standing 192cm tall and weighing 105kg, has quickly become one of the brightest young talents in the NRL system.
His breakout 2025 debut earned him early “rising star” recognition, but it was his dominant 2026 pre‑season performance — including a hat‑trick against the Roosters in a trial match — that ignited a new wave of excitement across the Tongan community.
Clips of his performances have spread rapidly, with many Facebook pages posting slow‑motion replays of his fend‑offs, line breaks and powerful finishes.
Supporters are praising his combination of size, speed and confidence — traits they say echo the style of Tonga’s most celebrated sporting figures.
“Every time he runs, defenders bounce off him. This is Lomu‑level stuff,” wrote one commenter in a popular Tonga supporters’ group.
Others say Makasini represents the next generation of elite rugby league talent emerging from the Tongan diaspora, noting his potential to become a major figure for both the Wests Tigers and the Tonga national team.
With the 2026 season approaching, fans are eagerly anticipating what he will deliver next — and whether his rising profile will translate into international honours.
For now, however, his highlight reels continue to dominate online spaces in Tonga, where supporters are praising not just his talent, but the growing pride he brings to the kingdom.
As one fan wrote in a post shared hundreds of times:
“Tonga’s future is already here — and everyone can see it.”
