Australian U18 rugby development squad picks up Zach Fittler, Heamasi Makasini

A boom rugby league rookie and a powerhouse teenager with one of the most famous surnames in NRL could be playing footy side-by-side for Australia next month - in rugby.

A boom rugby league rookie with the Wests Tigers and a schoolboy gun with one of the most recognised names in NRL history could be playing side-by-side in an Australian jersey next month - in rugby.

Wests Tigers rookie talent Heamasi Makasini and Zach Fittler, son of NRL great Brad, have both made the cut for the Australia U18 rugby development squad preparing for matches against New Zealand sides next months.

The 40-strong squad will be culled down to 26 closer to the two-match tour where Australia will play the New Zealand Barbarians at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton on October 2 and then the New Zealand Schools at FMG Stadium on October 6.

Both Makasini, who attends Newington College, and Fittler, from The Scots College, are wanted teens by rugby union and rugby league.

The Daily Telegraph recently obtained a photo of Makasini meeting in Sydney with former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, now coach of the Japanese rugby side Saitama Wild Knights.

Zach Fittler with the Sydney Roosters at Mascot Oval

Wests Tigers rising star Heamasi Makasini.

Makasini made his worth to the Tigers well known in the last Harold Matthews competition with a player of the year performance which saw him rack up 92 points and 10 tries.

Fittler, connected to the Sydney Roosters, is also a schoolboy rugby star and has long been associated with the Waratahs Academy program.

Rumours are intensifying he will soon be unveiled as a Waratahs signing.

“Zach has had a good couple of months,’’ said Australian U18 coach Shannon Fraser.

“He didn’t set the world on fire at the Australian schools championships but he’s been on fire for Scots since and is very well deserving of a spot in the squad.

Heamasi Makasini has been with the Waratahs Academy for years. Picture: Julian Andrews

“He’ll be in the mid field. He’s a point of difference player with his size and carries hard.

“Heamasi has got options which he is exploring. He’s not committed to anything next year so we are taking him for what he is and we will give him every opportunity and option to play at the highest level.

“He’s very good. He can effect a collision really well. There are subtleties in his game we need to unlock. Find way to get him into the game so his influence is high.

“He’s an excellent winder and we have to find ways to keep him here.’’

Zach Fittler is a player with a point of difference in rugby. .

Under the guidance of coach Fraser, the squad will attend a camp in Canberra later this month where they will compete in a three-way trial against an Australian Schools squad on September 26 for team sports.

The camp will conclude with the naming of a 26-man Australia U18 squad to travel to New Zealand for the two battles with the New Zealand sides.

AUSTRALIA U18 RUGBY DEVELOPMENT SQUAD:

Angus Grover - St Ignatius College, Riverview, Avery Thomson - GPS Rugby Club, Bennett Armistead - Nudgee College, Blaze Moana - The Southport School, Charlie Poynton - Barker College, Dylan Bretton - Wests Rugby Club, Edwin Langi - Eastern Suburbs, Eli Langi - Brisbane State High School, Ewald Kruger - GPS Rugby Club, Finn Mackay - St Laurence’s College, Frankie Goldsbrough - Easts Rugby Club. Hayden Lavercombe - The King’s School, Heamasi Makasini - Newington College, Heinz Lemoto - The Scots College, Isaac Fonua - The King’s School, Jacob Johnson - Nudgee College.

Wests Tigers rising stars Phoenix Godinet, Christian Tapau-Moors, Heamasi Makasini, Onitoni Large and Peter Tai. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Jay McKenzie - The Scots College, John Grenfell - Nudgee College, Jonty Fowler - St Joseph’s College, Josh Takai - Brothers Rugby Club, Kingsley Uys - The Southport School, Leo Jaques - The Scots College, Lewis Wilson - St Augustine’s College, Louis Fenwicke - The King’s School, Luca Cleverley - Newington College, Marshall Le Maitre - The Shore School, Nathaniel Thomas - Barker College, Nick Conway - Nudgee College.

Nick Hill - Barker College, Noah Rylands - St Augustine’s College, Rex Bassingthwaite - The Shore School, Sam Blank - St Augustine’s College, TJ Talaileva - Barker College, Toby Brial - The Scots College, Tom Goldie - The Southport School, Tom Hartman - St Ignatius College, Riverview, Tom Howard - Marist College, Tom Robinson - UQ Rugby Club, Will Ross - Padua College, Zach Fittler - The Scots College.

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Originally published as Australian U18 rugby development squad picks up Zach Fittler, Heamasi Makasini