Teen prodigy Heamasi Makasini, the young gun likened to Jonah Lomu, re-commits to Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers have locked up in-demand teen prodigy Heamasi Makasini – the gun outside back who's been likened to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu – for an extra two years.

Makasini, 18, was already signed with the Tigers until the end of 2027, but the boom centre/winger will now remain with the joint venture until at least the end of 2029.

The Tigers moved early to extend his contract prior to November 1, when he would have otherwise become a free agent and been able to negotiate with rival clubs, including the PNG Chiefs.

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The Tigers also fended off interest from rugby union.

Benji Marshall and the Tigers were dealt a huge blow when co-captain and star five-eighth Jarome Luai signed with the Chiefs from 2028 but in Makasini they have a beauty.

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He will play his first game since round seven against the Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, having recovered from bone bruising in his foot.

"I love playing here and I'm loving being a part of what we're building. It's where I've played all my junior footy and I want to be a part of bringing the club success," Makasini said.

"I'm grateful to Benji, the boys and the whole Tigers family for everything they've done for me so far, and I'm so happy to be staying here for another two seasons.

"I'm glad to be back playing this weekend and can't wait to get out there with the boys in front of our home fans."

Makasini is a product of the Campbelltown City Kangaroos and Newington College. He claimed the 2024 Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year award after starring in the centres for the Western Suburbs Magpies.

"Heamasi is a special talent who we feel is a big part of our future, and we're looking forward to seeing him develop here," Marshall said.

"I've been impressed with what he's done for us to start the year, making the step up to the NRL week to week. He's done it playing at centre – one of the hardest positions to defend on the field – and showed his quality at just 18 years old.

"He's a player that's come right through our system, and I know how much he loves representing the Wests Tigers.

"We're so happy to have Heamasi and his family with us until 2029."

Makasini was a gun in both rugby league and union as a kid and he admitted in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald in March that he was interested in returning to the 15-man code at some stage.

Comparisons to Lomu exploded when Makasini ran straight over the top of star Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards during a pre-season game this year.

Marshall can see the similarities.

"If you look at the 1995 World Cup, the highlights look the same. That's why it's crazy," Marshall said in March.

"He's had some comparisons to some great players, but what I like is he doesn't let that affect his mindset and the way he is.

"But again, we've seen a couple of things in trials. It's not the same when you play an NRL game."

Former Tigers CEO Shane Richardson declared Makasini was "as talented a kid as I've seen in my 30 years of working in rugby league".

He was born in Orange and moved to Camden when was 11. It appears a matter of when, not if, he's running around in the State of Origin arena for NSW.