Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says a week off will do a world of good for rising star Heamasi Makasini, who limped into training on Wednesday morning in a moon boot a day after he was left out of the team to face the Raiders.<\/p>\n
There had been speculation that the 18-year-old had been dropped after a tough night against Brisbane on the weekend, but bone bruising in his foot emerged as the reason he wasn\u2019t picked.<\/p>\n
Even if Makasini was fully fit, Marshall may have given the towering outside back a week away from the NRL spotlight after what\u2019s been a meteoric rise in the space of a few months.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a bit of bone bruising in his foot, so he wouldn\u2019t have been available this week anyway,\u201d Marshall said on Wednesday morning ahead of his side\u2019s captain\u2019s run at Leichhardt Oval. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut it was probably timely because I think he was ready for a rest. But one thing I will say about Heamasi is he\u2019s such a bright talent and he\u2019s got a great future ahead of him, and he\u2019ll just get some confidence back and come back into the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to praise him actually for how awesome he\u2019s been to start the season. Eighteen years old coming in and playing centre, which is probably the hardest position to defend on the field, he did a great job. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut part of my job as a coach is also to know when to take the pressure off him. I just felt like he\u2019s been up for so long with his intent and his enthusiasm, and players have been actually going after him, that it was a timely rest. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he does have a little niggly injury on his foot as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Makasini made his debut last year and then earnt comparisons to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu with a barnstorming run in the trials that steamrolled Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards to score a try.<\/p>\n
Makasini has been playing against men much older than him this year, with the teen still growing into his hulking frame and learning what it means to play in the NRL.<\/p>\n
He had strong numbers with the ball on Saturday night against Brisbane but came up with four costly errors, including a few late in the game as his side lost by a point.<\/p>\n
Marshall knows what it\u2019s like to burst onto the scene as a teenager, with all eyes on him when he made his Tigers debut, which is why he\u2019s the perfect man to help Makasini as he navigates his way through a few issues. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the bonuses of being in that position is I can explain to the players what that\u2019s like and how to navigate through that,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut in Heamasi\u2019s situation, he is a unique talent and someone we see as a long-term future for us. He\u2019s having a bit of confidence issues at the moment, but he\u2019ll bounce back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s just a good reminder for a lot of people out there that sometimes we go off early on young blokes and we compare them unfairly to some of the greatest athletes that ever played, and it puts a lot of pressure on some of these kids. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe pressure is already big enough playing in this environment in the NRL. Like I said, part of my job is to make sure I do the right thing by our players, and Heamasi is no different. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love what he brings to our team, I love his enthusiasm, I love the way he plays, but he\u2019ll earn his way back into the team at some stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Makasini is only expected to miss one game with the injury, but he could spend some time in NSW Cup to regain confidence, with the Tigers welcoming back experienced centre Starford To\u2019a this week. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people sometimes look at reserve grade for example, and if someone goes back to reserve grade, it\u2019s looked at as a punishment,\u201d the Tigers coach said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes it\u2019s actually the best thing for you to go and learn your trade, get some confidence. Like for Starford\u2019s case, going and getting some game time and some match fitness. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s not always a demotion, sometimes it\u2019s what\u2019s best for you at the time. And Heamasi is no different.\u201d<\/p>\n