Makahesi Makatoa

Makahesi Makatoa (born 30 January 1993) is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop or lock forward for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Makahesi Makatoa
Personal information
Full nameMakahesi Makatoa
Born (1993-01-30) 30 January 1993
New Plymouth, New Zealand
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight104 kg (16 st 5 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019 Featherstone Rovers 25 4 0 0 16
2021– Parramatta Eels 46 1 0 0 4
Total 71 5 0 0 20
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015– Cook Islands 8 1 0 0 4
Source: [1][2]
As of 6 August 2023

He previously played for Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship.

Background

Makatoa was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand, of Niuean and Cook Islander descent.[3][4] He played junior rugby league for the Marist Dragons in his hometown.[5]

Playing career

Early career

Makatoa played 5 matches for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL Under-20s in 2013.[6]

Makatoa played for the Mount Pritchard Mounties in the New South Wales Cup in 2017 and 2018.[7]

Featherstone Rovers

Makatoa signed with the Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship in 2019, following head coach Ryan Carr from Mounties to the Rovers.[8]

Parramatta Eels

Makatoa joined the Parramatta Eels' New South Wales Cup squad in 2020, again under coach Carr.[9] In Round 22 2021, Makatoa made his NRL debut for Parramatta against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Sunshine Coast Stadium, which ended in a 56-10 defeat.[10] In December 2021, he signed a new deal to remain at Parramatta until the end of the 2023 season.[11] Makatoa played 23 games for Parramatta in the 2022 NRL season including two finals matches. Makatoa was left out of Parramatta's preliminary final team which defeated North Queensland to reach the 2022 NRL Grand Final. Makatoa was not included in Parramatta's grand final team which lost 28-12 against Penrith.[12] In round 16 of the 2023 NRL season, Makatoa scored his first try for Parramatta in their 34-4 victory over Manly.[13] Makatoa played a total of 17 matches for Parramatta which were all from the interchange bench in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th and missed the finals.[14]

References
  1. "Makahesi Makatoa". Love Rugby League.
  2. "Makahesi Makatoa - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
  3. "Niue name train-on squad for Philippines International". Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  4. "Kukis face Niue in build-up". Cook Islands News. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  5. "Who is Makahesi Makatoa?". bulldogs.com.au. 11 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  6. ""M"". 18th Man. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. "Mounties hold out fast-finishing Wests Tigers". Wests Tigers. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  8. McKenna, Chris (13 March 2019). "Featherstone Rovers bolster squad with signing of Cook Island international". Pontefract and Castleford Express. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  9. Proszenko, Adrian (12 August 2021). "'Reward for hanging in': How a 28-year-old on a $15k contract made it to the NRL". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  10. "Eels star's season could be over as 'shocking' high shot earns a HUGE suspension". www.foxsports.com.au.
  11. "Sean Russell, Jake Arthur & Makahesi Makatoa Extend". www.parraeels.com.au.
  12. "Why Brad Arthur should make the hardest call of all and drop his son for Grand Final". www.foxsports.com.au.
  13. "Eels maul Manly to enter top eight". www.parraeels.com.au.
  14. "NRL 2023: Parramatta Eels season review". www.sportingnews.com.
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