'What the hell have we got here?': The teen freak earning comparisons to Jonah Lomu and Israel Folau

Heamasi Makasini has officially announced himself to the NRL, but there might be more than meets the eye when it comes to the Wests Tigers rookie.

The 18-year-old has been one of the standout performers during the pre-season trials, scoring a hat-trick against the Sydney Roosters before backing it up with what will likely be one of the best tries of the year on Friday night against the Panthers.

Makasini made a burst down the left-hand touchline early in his side's win over Penrith, but was dragged down in a cover tackle by Dylan Edwards.

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Just a few minutes later, Makasini was away again.

The teenage flyer bumped and fended his way past Kalani Going and Izack Tago before eyeballing Edwards once more, this time trampling over the top of the fullback.

"What the hell have we got here? This kid is a teenage star and they are standing at Leichhardt," commentator Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

"We are witnessing the start of something that could be very special."

It was the type of moment that will be replayed for weeks, months or even years - especially when one of the game's best one receiving end.

"He's like a mack truck down that sideline," Kevin Walters said.

"Edwards is one of our best-ever defensive fullbacks and he ran straight over him."

Makasini finished the night with 160 run metres, three linebreaks and seven tackle breaks as the Tigers made it two-from-two in the trials.

His stunning individual display has earned him plenty of comparisons to past and current stars of not only rugby league, but rugby union as well.

"This kid has got game and it was individual brilliance like Jonah Lomu with the power, strength and speed ... he's got it all," Braith Anasta said during the Fox coverage.

Bulldogs great Josh Reynolds worked with Makasini during the U19s Origin camp last season and compared him to the likes of Stephen Crichton and Israel Folau.

But beneath the freakish talent, Makasini has plenty more to offer.

"He's gonna be a special talent, but the thing I loved best about him is he was as humble as anything - he knew he was 18th man [for NSW], but he wasn't bitter about it and he was in there helping the boys," Reynolds said on Triple M.

Benji Marshall echoed those sentiments during his post-game interview, heaping praise on how Makasini has handled the pressure coming his way at a young age.

"I loved it," the Tigers coach said.

"He's put in the hard work this pre-season and for his age, he's really mature.

"It would be hard being that young and getting all the headlines and trying not to read into it too much, but I think he's done a really good job."

After starring in the pre-season, Makasini now appears to be a shoo-in to line up for the Tigers when their regular season kicks off in round two.

Co-captain Jarome Luai, who admittedly likes to keep a lid on things, couldn't hide his excitement when asked about the prodigious youngster.

"I'll give him his raps - I'm probably a guy not to give him his as many raps during the pre-season, I try to keep him grounded," he told Fox.

"But watching him in full flight out there and watching him run over some of my old teammates [from Penrith], I was in awe."