Report From Whitehaven News
Whitehaven have signed Tongan Powerhouse Saia Makisi on a 12 month contract. And the 6 foot 3 centre who tips the scales at 16 stones is no stranger to West Cumbria after scoring a try for Tonga in the clash with Cumbria at Workington last year. Haven were alerted the 25yr olds availability by their respected former coach Stan Martin in New Zealand. ?He approached Stan about coming over to England and Stan sent his details to us?, said Chairman Des Byrne. ?We held off until we had appointed a new coach and when Paul Crarey came in, he heard about the player so we signed him. He is a good attacking player with pace and we are delighted to get him. It has taken a little while but our patience has been rewarded?.
Makisi hails from New Zealand but holds a Tongan passport and represented the country in 2005 and 2006. He was signed by Cronulla Sharks after being spotted for New Zealand Residents in the World Sevens in 2004.
After a year with the Sharks, Premier League side he had spells with Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers and last season he featured for North Sydney?s reserve team. Makisi will link with Haven in January, and he will share a house with fellow new signing Ade Adebisi who has switched from Featherstone. Crarey coached Cumbria to their win over Tonga last year and reckons Makisi faired well against the county side scoring a 43rd minute try with a trademark break. ?He was the better of the Tongan?s two centres?, said the Haven boss. ?He was playing against Barrow?s Liam Harrison who is very strong defensively, but he still scored a try. We did a lot of kick and chase because of the wet conditions and he stood up to it well. He will do very very well for us, when he gets used to the cold, as long as he settles in. ?With David Seeds retiring, we had to try to bring someone in to fill his boots, and this lad is a great attacking Centre.?
Makisi adds to the stiff competition in the centres, with Rob Jackson and Derrie Eilbeck also in strong contention, though the new signing can also play wing, fullback and even second row.
Haven are also strongly rumoured to be in contention for ex-Hull KR prop, Jim Gannon ? a super league regular last season, though they face competition from NL2 Oldham. Byrne declined to name the player Haven are targeting but said: ?We are still negotiation with the agent of a former Super League Forward and we are hopeful?.
?Our patience has been rewarded with Makisi and hopefully it will be the same with him?.
