The rugby world is salivating about the future of a 135 kilogram teenage prop known as the "Tongan Thor", but the ACT Brumbies are banking on a Queanbeyan removalist to be their star of the future.
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The Brumbies signed young front-rower Les Makin to an extended player squad deal on Wednesday and ruled out the prospect of trying to lure Taniela Tupou, or "Tongan Thor", to Canberra next year.
Tupou has pledged his commitment to Australian rugby after turning down offers to stay in New Zealand.
But the Brumbies have opted to invest in Queanbeyan Whites and Canberra Vikings prop Makin, who will put his work as a removalist on hold when his Super Rugby contract begins in November.
"Les is powerful, a dogged defender and puts big shots on," said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
"He's explosive and he's been in our system now for a long time so we're excited to see what he can do. He gets his chance to step up now and we're confident he can rise to that Super Rugby level."
Makin spends his days moving office furniture, and occasionally grand pianos, to supplement his rugby ambitions.
The 22-year-old St Edmund's College graduate is known to have the biggest pants size at the Brumbies and Makin has promised to throw his 112 kilogram frame into action if he gets a Super Rugby chance next year.
Makin will continue working as a removalist for the next two months, as well as playing in the National Rugby Championships for Canberra, as he waits for his first professional rugby contract to start.
"I'll take it a bit easy [with the lifting at work], but I've still got to do my job," Makin said.
"I've been big pretty much my whole life, I don't know what my pants size is though. I'm pretty stoked, this is a dream come true after working my way up through the pathways."
Makin will be part of a young prop rotation at the Brumbies next year, which will be led by Wallabies duo Ben Alexander and Scott Sio.
Allan Alaalatoa has played just two games while twins Jean-Pierre and Ruan Smith share just 38 Super Rugby games between them.
The Brumbies hope former Wallaby Dan Palmer, who has been recruited as a scrum coach, can help fast-track their development.
Makin is viewed as a versatile prop capable of playing either loosehead or tighthead.
"Les has huge potential ... he's pretty powerful and it's exciting that he's getting an opportunity," said Brumbies forwards coach Dan McKellar.
"He's not your typical front-rower, he's explosive and a dynamic ball carrier. That's his point of difference.
"Scotty Sio will take on a more senior role ... we're young in the front row but there is potential in all of them. With the NRC and hopefully next year they'll get experience."
Makin is the Brumbies' first recruit to rise through the new NRC pathway.
Larkham still has three roster spots to fill for the Super Rugby season and he is searching for an outside back, an inside back and a second-rower.
But the Brumbies ruled themselves out of any bidding war for rising power sensation Tupou, by declaring he was not on their recruitment radar.
"We're looking of a number of other players in the NRC to fill those positions we've got available. First and foremost we want to draw from the Canberra Vikings and Canberra before we look elsewhere." Larkham said.
