The New Tuilagi? Rekeiti Ma'asi-White's Journey to Rugby Stardom

Sale Sharks' centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White is making waves in the rugby world, drawing comparisons to his idol, Manu Tuilagi. As Sale prepares for the Premiership semi-final against Leicester Tigers, Ma'asi-White reflects on his journey and the influences that have shaped his career.

Early Inspirations

Ma'asi-White's rugby journey began with a Leicester shirt gifted by his uncle. However, it wasn't the Tigers' badge that caught his eye but the number 12 on the back, worn by Manu Tuilagi. "I was a big fan of Manu," Ma'asi-White recalls. "I only supported Leicester because of Manu really."

Growing up, Ma'asi-White admired Tuilagi's Samoan heritage, which resonated with his own Tongan and English background. He also drew inspiration from former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa and Ma'a Nonu, but Tuilagi remained his closest example.

Family Ties and Mentorship

Ma'asi-White's father, Viliami, a former Tongan international, played alongside Tuilagi's brother Anitelea at Leeds. This connection brought the two families together, with Manu often visiting their home in Leeds. "Manu used to come round when we lived in Leeds for a little session together of food and stuff," Ma'asi-White shares.

Viliami remains a significant influence, coaching Ma'asi-White from afar. "He will say, 'there is still more in you, you are not running hard enough, you need to tackle harder,'" Ma'asi-White explains. "And I love that because it pushes me to become a better player."

Rapid Rise and Recent Success

Ma'asi-White's ascent has been remarkable. After starting the season on loan at Championship side Caldy, he made his first start for Sale in January. His performance against Toulon, where he helped secure a 33-7 win, solidified his place in the team.

Since then, Ma'asi-White has scored in each of Sale's last four games, showcasing his ability to both find gaps and break through defenses. His impressive form earned him a call-up to the England senior squad last month.

Looking Ahead

As Sale faces Leicester in the Premiership semi-final, Ma'asi-White is focused on maintaining discipline and leveraging their strengths. "There has been a lot of talk about us not being an 80-minutes team," he says. "We need to minimise the penalty count and use the scrum and line out to our advantage."

With a potential Premiership final on the horizon and the possibility of representing England in Argentina, Ma'asi-White's journey is far from over. "Going to Argentina is the plan - that is my target," he declares.

Ma'asi-White's story is one of inspiration, hard work, and the pursuit of greatness, as he continues to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Manu Tuilagi.