A Childhood Hero Turned Mentor
The 22-year-old admits that while he once wore a Leicester shirt as a kid, it wasn’t about the club — it was about the number 12 on the back.
“I was a big fan of Manu,” says Ma’asi-White.
“He has the same kind of background — Samoan descent for him, half-Tongan, half-English for me. I looked up to him and wanted to achieve what he did.”
Ma’asi-White’s connection to Tuilagi runs deep. His father Viliami Ma’asi, a former Tonga international, played alongside Manu’s brother Anitelea at Leeds. The families forged a bond, with Manu regularly visiting their home for food and casual training sessions.
“I didn’t realize how cool it was at the time,” Ma’asi-White admits.
“Manu used to come round when we lived in Leeds. It only hit me later what that meant.”
Guidance from Home
While Tuilagi inspired his early ambition, it’s still his father who remains his sharpest coach. Viliami, who played into his 40s and now coaches Oundle, watches every Sale training session remotely from Peterborough.
“He calls before every game with a checklist,” says Ma’asi-White.
“It’s technical, mental — everything. He tells me, ‘you’re not running hard enough, you need to tackle harder.’ I love that because it pushes me to be better.”
Breakthrough Season with Sale Sharks
After starting the 2024-25 season on loan at Championship side Caldy, Ma’asi-White’s rise has been rapid. A standout performance against Toulon in January cemented his spot in Sale’s midfield, and he’s since scored in four consecutive games.
His dynamic mix of power and pace has earned him a first call-up to the England senior squad and put him firmly in the conversation for this summer’s tour to Argentina.
Familiar Faces and Semi-Final Showdown
This Saturday at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Ma’asi-White will go head-to-head with former England Under-20 teammate Joe Woodward.
“Joe’s a triple threat — distributor, ball carrier, and with a solid kicking game,” he says.
“We worked really well together coming through.”
Leicester edged Sale in their last visit to Welford Road, with the Sharks left regretting second-half ill-discipline after leading by 10 points. Ma’asi-White says tightening up on penalties and maximizing set-piece opportunities will be key to Sale’s hopes of booking a place in the final.
“People have questioned whether we’re an 80-minute team. This weekend, it’s about discipline and control,” he insists.
Eyeing England Ambitions
While the semi-final is the immediate focus, Ma’asi-White has his sights on Argentina too.
“Going down to Pennyhill Park for that England camp was special,” he says.
“I gave it everything — I was spent in the taxi home. The goal is to go on that summer tour.”
If his meteoric rise continues, those comparisons to Tuilagi will only grow louder.
Image source,
