Rave reviews for Makisi
By Martin Morgan
WHITEHAVEN?S new Tongan powerhouse Saia Makisi is earning rave reviews Down Under after joining top Aussie outfit Parramatta Eels for a two-week tune-up ahead of his switch to the Recre.
Makisi was invited to train with the NRL outfit by club official and ex-Australia Test ace Rod Reddy, a pal of Haven boss Paul Crarey from their days together at Barrow .
And Reddy has phoned Crarey to give his assessment of the international centre, who has been rubbing shoulders at Parramatta with the likes of Tonga team-mate Fuifui MoiMoi, one of the world?s most formidable forwards.
?Rod says he?s a very athletic player and has fitted in really well,? the Haven coach said. ?He?s training with them in the morning and staying on all day.
?I know he hasn?t played a lot of first-grade over there, but the standard is very high. They reckon he?s unstoppable from 20 metres out.?
Makisi, recommended to Haven by former boss Stan Martin, is due to touch down in England later in the month. He scored for Tonga in their defeat by Crarey?s Cumbria in 2006.