'I was flabbergasted': Tigers teenager reveals what Dylan Edwards told him after freakish trial moment

All eyes will be on Heamasi Makasini this weekend when the teenage sensation runs out for the Wests Tigers in the side's first game of the season.

The 18-year-old outside back turned plenty of heads during the trials, scoring a hat-trick against the Roosters before adding another against the Panthers.

The try against Penrith put the rugby league world on notice, which saw Makasini beat a host of defenders before trampling directly over Dylan Edwards - one of the game's best defensive fullbacks who has won four grand finals and played for Australia.

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In an interview with 9News Sydney, the humble young gun revealed what the Panthers star told him afterwards and what it was like to come up against the powerhouse club.

"Dylan Edwards gave me a word, he just told me not to do that again," Makasini said. 

"Obviously I was kind of flabbergasted at the start - watching those players on the TV growing up, being able to do that was kind of special."

Makasini is one of the brightest young talents in the game, graduating from Newington College last year and choosing rugby league over the 15-man code.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

He named Israel Folau and Greg Inglis as his inspirations, while Makasini also confirmed earlier this year that he had Stephen Crichton as his phone background.

The talented outside back, who will start the year at centre with Starford To'a sidelined with injury, believes coach Benji Marshall has set the tone for a "special" season.

"He set us standards at the start of the year and it's something for us boys to take in so we can have a better 2026 season … it should be a special one," Makasini said. 

Makasini has plenty of notable voices in his corner and backing him to succeed, with Canterbury boss Phil Gould amongst the teenager's growing fanbase.

"He's a very exciting player," Gould said on Wide World Of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.

"He's been on the horizon for some time, we've seen him coming through.

"He's obviously genetically blessed, he is one of those big kids, he can run fast and do different things, but he's got a lot to learn about the nuances of the game.

"Remember, he is coming out of age-group football where he dominates them physically. There are a lot of attributes to his game that are going to have to be developed.

"In the trials, he did run over everybody - but now oppositions and NRL players have had a look at him and know exactly what they're coming up against, they will accommodate.

"It won't be as easy for him, but it's absolutely exciting for the game. I wish him well and hope he has a long and successful career, he's a great player."

Makasini and his Tigers teammates will get their 2026 campaign underway at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon against the Cowboys.