Heamasi Makasini bagged a hat-trick of tries – but it was another Wests Tigers winger who stole the show with a very early contender for try of the year.
Little-known Tino Tavana somehow leapt to the air, with his legs over the sideline, and twisted his body to plant the ball down during Saturday afternoon’s 42-26 trial win over the Roosters.
The 21-year-old Narellan junior leapt to his feet and was the only person inside McDonald Jones Stadium that was convinced he had scored.
“It’s only pre-season, it’s only February, but I tell you what, that’s one of the better tries I have ever seen,” Cooper Cronk said on the Fox League coverage.
“He’s out of the field of play by a couple of metres, I’d need Go-Go Gadget arms, a step ladder, and a trampoline to get there. Young Tavana twists, turns and keeps his right mitt on the ball. Outstanding.”
Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored an epic solo try last year for the Roosters, Melbourne’s Xavier Coates somehow planted the ball down to score an unforgettable four-pointer against the Warriors at the start of the 2024 season, and Tavana’s effort, albeit in a trial, deserves to be remembered in the same category.
“I knew I got it down, I just wasn’t sure about my footing,” Tavana said.
Makasini said of Tavana’s try: “Tino has always been that magician coming through the junior reps. He’s a freakish talent, and very skilful.”
Makasini, 18, was handed his NRL debut in the final game of last season, and is vying for the starting left wing spot with Jeral Skelton.
